w. 


^^■'^'^ 


/; 


BX  5995  -K^^l  ^^^8 
Rogers,  Ammi ,  1770-lbtD^. 
Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  Ammi 
Rogers,  A.M. 


t* 


MX:  ISO/IBS 


REV.  AMMI  ROGERS,  A.  J\t»- 

A  CLERGYMAX  OF  THE  EPISCOPAl,  OHURCJ^^- 

EDUCATED    AT   TALE    COLLEGE   IW   COXIf ECTICUT,     OHDAtlTBD   U 

IRINITT   CHURCH    IN   THE    CITST   OP   NEW  YORK,   PEaSECO'- 

TED  IN  THE    STATE    OP   CONNECTICUT    ON   ACCOUNT    OF 

BEUGION    AND   POLITICS,    FOR   ALMOST     TWEKTT 

TEARS — AND   FINALLY 

Falsely  aconsetl  anil  Imprlsoaod 

Xoeoruiioh  jail,  for  two  years,  on  the  charge  of  crimes  said  to  havehsm 
wmmilted  in  the  town  of  Griswjld,  in.  the  count//  of  iVeia  London,  when 
ht  UMJ  not  within  about  one  hunirel  miles  of  the  place,  (see  pag»  147) 
andof  whichhe  wj?  ahiolutaly  as  innocmt  as  the  Judgi    wht  j»r#nau)»c  *d  , 
stntenee  or  as  any  other  person  tn  the  world. 

— ALSO — 

A  concide  view  of  the   authority,  doctrins  and  worshipi 

ia  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  a  very 

valuable  index  to  the  Holy  Bible. 


COMPOSED,    COMPILED    AND    WRITTBN   BY   THE    8A1D 

AMMI  ROGERS, 

^^•au  lUttorf^  St.  Peter's  church,  in  Hebron,  Tolland  co,  Comttticvtf  Ml. 


'Is  it  ■othing  to  you,r  all  ye  that  pass  by ?    Behold  and  see,  if  there   be 
*ny  sorrow  like  unto  my  sorrow,  which  is  done  unto  mv.^— Jeremiah. 

'  Quis  taliafando  temperet  a  la^zrymist .-ViTg\\. — i.  t,—f  Who    can    re- 
ftain  from  tears  at  the  relation  of  such  things  ?' 

EIGHTH    EDITION. 

WWH   ADDITIONS,    OMISSIOVS    AND    ALTEKATIOMS. 


K   Apl 


JOHNSTOWN,  N.  Y. 
PRIK^TED  BY  W.  CLARKE  FOR  THE  AUTHOR. 

1838. 


-  -^  TOWN  OP  CORINtH,  )  ^^ 

County  of  Saratoga     ptate  of  NevvTork,  )     ' 

January  18, 1833— We,  the  undersigned,  do  certify  that  we  reside  in  ths 
nejoiborhood  of  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  an!  have  been  personally  and 
wall  acquainted  with  him  for  many  years  last  past  ('  Mr.  Rogers  was  a 
settled  mill  :^l«r  in  this  county  for  m^ny  years  ;  has  resided  a  great  part  of 
the  time,  axd  been  well  known  and  acquainted  in  this  coanly  tor  mDre  ihaa 
forty  years',  ast  past,')  and  we  do  consider  Ivim  to  bs  a  man  of  truth  and 
veracity,  man  cf  integrity,  punctual  in  his  dealings,  and,  as  far  as  we  aro 
acquaiatedj  ©I  goud  moral  cliaracter. 

And  wa  having  examined  his  LETTERS  of  ORDERS  ;  it  appears, 
from   :hera,  aid  from  ot'ie-  documents  produced  by  him,  that  Tie  now  is, 
("  January  Ife,    838,)  a  Muisler  of  the  Gospel  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  and  in^good  standing. 
Certified  by 

BENJAMIN  COWLES,  Justice  of  the  Peaw^ 
OPADIAH  WOOD,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
EDWARD  EDWARDS,  Jusitc3  of  the  Peace. 
WINDSOR  tsRO  WN,  Justice  of  the  Petce 

ani  Supervisor  of  the  town  of  Corinth, 
CHARLES  CARPENTER,  Town  Clerk 

of  Corinth. 
SARATOGA  COUNTY,    ) 
Clerk's  Office,  J 

I,  Alpheus  Goodrich,  Clerk  of  said  county  of  Saratoga,  do  certify,  that 
Benjamin  Cowles,  Windsor  Brown,  Edward  Edwards,  and  Obadiah  Wood, 
esqrs.  are  at  this  date  acting  justices  of  the  pearie  in  the  town  of  Corinth  in 
said  county.  And  I  further  cviriify  that  Winlsor  Brown,  esq.  is  reputed  and 
balieved  to  bu  the  acting  supervisor  of  the  towa  of  Corinth  in  said  county; 
and  further,  that  Charles  Carpenter  is  reputed  and  believed  to  be  the  acting 
town  clerk  of  the  aforesaid  town  of  Corinth  at  this  date. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and 

L^       affixed  my  official  seal,  this  23J  day  of  March,  1838. 
•   ^»  A.  GOODRICH    Clerk, 

By  JOHN  MANNING,  Deputy. 

Town  of  Corinth,  county  of  Saratoga  and  state  of  New  York,  ss. 

We  the  undersigned,  inhabitants  of  said  Coiinth  and  residing  in  the 
neighborhood  jf  the  Rev.  Anmi  R'j;ers,  do  certify  that  from  our  own  per- 
sonal knowledge  and  acqu\intance  :  and  from  undoubted  testimony  we  do 
hereby  freely  and  fully  canour  and  unite  in  the  foregoing  certificate  relatives 
to  tfe  said  Ammi  Rogers. 

NATHAN  MALLERY,  )    Assessors  of  the 


ARDON  HEATH.  f   town  of  Corinth 

THOMAS  :S.  CARPENTER  )    Inspeciors  of  common 
ALFRiiD  W  SEXTON,  ^  schools  in  Corinth. 

JOHN  EARLY,  )        Commissioners  of 

WILLIAM  IDE,  >  hi<^hwaysin 

ELIJAH  TRUMBULL,     )  Corint'i. 

Town  of  Corinth,  April  3,  1333  — 1  cjrtity  that  I  am  personally 
acquainted  with  each  individual  p^^rson  <v!iose  iianu  is  subscribed  to  the 
foregoing  certificate  :  that  they  are  am  .ng  iho  most  respectable  inhabitants 
of  this  town,  and  that  thev  now  do  suUain  ih  :  olives  annexed  to  their  names 
respectively.  Certified,  CHARLES  CARPENTER  town  clerk  of  Corinth 


TO  THE  READER. 

WnTN  a  citizen,  by  groundless  prejudice,  by  false  rep- 
rf"?entaiions  and  by  palpable  perjuries,  has  been  made  a 
victim  to  eclesiastical  denunciations  and  civil  prosecu- 
tions ;  when  the  privileges  arising  from  civil  liberty 
and  religious  freedom  have  been  wrested  from  him,  he 
stiil  has'one  privilege  left,  the  privilege  of  complaining. 
A  statement  of  his  case,  and  an  appeal  to  the  public,  is 
the  rfcrat^r  resort  of  an  injured  man;  such  an  appeal 
supported  by  satisfactory  evidence,  secures  a  sentence 
in  favour  of  the  oppressed.  To  disregard  such  a  sen- 
tence would  not  be  just,  and  even  if  it  were  just,  it  would 
not  be  possible. 

There  has  been,  for  years  past,  much  animadversion 
on  the  union  of  Church  and  State.  I  have  practically 
•felt  the  operation  of  this  two  fold  chord  which  is  now 
happily  broken  in  Connecticut,  and  which  has  almost 
prostrated  me  iu  the  destruction  of  it.  But  I  still  sur- 
vive, and  amidst  the  heavy  artillery  of  a  departed  Bish- 
op, and  the  artful  machinations  and  cruel  batteries  of  : 
Connecticut  State's  Attorney,  1  have  been  sustained  by  : 
consciousness  of  my  innocence,  and  by  the  blessing  ol 
that  merciful  Being'"  who  tempers  the  tuind  to  the  short, 
lamb,"  I  live  to  make  this  my  last  effort  through  the 
press,  which,  Heaven  be  praised,  is  still  untrammelled,  to 
evince  my  innocence  and  my  integrity. 

Equal  justice  is  due  to  all  men,  and  the  lovers  of  truth 
are  so  far  the  lovers  of  God.  I  cannot  therefore  but  in- 
dulge the  hope,  that  an  enlightened  and  compassionate 
public  will  give  the  following  pages  an  attentive  reading, 
and  an  impartial  consideration.  To  render  railing  for 
railing  is  no  part  of  my  profession,  and  to  expose  the 
real  faults  of  mv  feilow-citizens  is  no  pleasure  to  me, 
and  1  intend  not  to  do  it,  any  further  forth,  than  a  reli- 
gious regard  to  duty  shall  compel  me.  All  human  tribu- 
nals, whether  civil  or  eclesiastical,  may  and  do  err,  and 
that  which  has  been  solemnly  approved  and  sanctioned 
at  one  time  has  been  no  less  solemnly  disproved  and 
discarded  at  another  But  without  referring  to  former  ex- 
amples, those  of  u  recent  date  will  serve  my  purpose 


4 

In  flir  year  1819,  Stcpliou  and  Jesse  Bourn  .  ere  ar- 
rested, tried  and  condemned,  in  the  State  of  Vermont, 
for  the  murder  of  one  Coivin,  the  time  and  place  of  their 
execution  M'as  appointed,  and  no  doubt  of  their  guilt  was 
indulged  :  but  behold,  jist  before  the  hour  of  their  exe- 
cution arrived,  the  said  Coivin  returned  home  hearty 
and  well,  and  had  not  been  injured  !  Here  was  much 
smoke  but  no  fire  — no  murder,  no  crime  had  been  com- 
mitted on  the  paid  Coivin,  or  on  any  other  person  by  atiy 
one.  In  the  year  1820,  John  C.  Decker  and  Gideon 
Braman  were  arrested,  tried  and  condemned  to  hard  la- 
bour in  the  State  Prison  of  New-York  during  their  nat- 
ural lives,  for  a  burglary  committed  in  Kinderhook  ;  and 
after  having  been  confined  and  laboured  there  about 
four  months,  it  was  undeniably  proved  that  the  said  bur- 
glary was  r-ommitted  by  George  Lanman,  and  that  they 
were  entirely  ignorant  and  innocent  of  the  whole  trans- 
action. T'>ey  were  released  and  Lanman  is  now  in  their 
place.  Here  again  was  smoke  but  no  fire,  as  it  respected 
them.  It  is  not  long,  since  Joseph  Inman  was  arrested, 
tried  and  condemned  to  be  hung  within  the  jurisdiction  of 
Massachusetts  for  the  murder  of  Oliver  Holmes  :  but  be- 
fore the  time  of  execution  arrived,  Judge  Arnold,  in  pas-, 
sing  through  the  town  of  Dedham,  or  its  vicinity,  met  the 
said  Holmes  on  the  road,  hearty  and  well,  had  not  been 
mjured.  The  Judge  knew  him,  took  him  into  his  car- 
riage, conveyed  him  to  the  proper  authority,  and  saved 
the  life  of  the  said  Inman,  It  is  not  long,  since  a  man 
of  East  Hartford  was  arrested,  tried  before  the  Superior 
Court  of  Connecticut  for  forging  a  note;  he  was  declaiod 
guilty,  condemned  and  imprisoned  in  Newgate.  But  it 
was  afterwards  proved  that  the  said  note  was  forged  by 
one  Peck,  and  that  he  was  innocent  of  the  crime  ;  ho 
was  released  and  Peck  run  away.  It  is  not  long  sinco 
two  men  by  the  name  of  Snow  were  arrested,  in  tho 
County  of  Windham  and  State  of  Connecticut,  for  burn- 
ing a  paper  mill  in  that  place.  They  were  tried  before 
the  Superior  Court,  declared  guilty,  and  sentenced  to 
imprisonment  in  Newgate  state  prison,  in  Simsbury 
mines,  for  life,  and  there  they  both  died,  constantly  pro- 
testing   their   innocence  to  their  last  breath  ;  and  it   is 


now  beyond  a  doubt  that  they  were  falsely  accused  and 
unjustly  condemned,  and  that  the  building  was  burnt  by 
one  Salter,  who,  it  is  said,  has  since  confessed  it.*  It 
is  not  long  since  a  Mr.  Berger  was  arrested,  tried,  con- 
demned, and  underwent  the  most  exemplary  and  severe 
punishment  in  Baltimore,  in  the  state  of  Maryland,  for 
stealing  ^1,000  from  a  widow  woman  ;  he  was  whipped, 
cropped,  branded,  and  sentenced  to  six  months  im- 
prisonment in  irons  ;  but  within  a  few  weeks  the  money 
was  found  and  recovered  from  a  man  in  Virginia  ;  and 
undeniably  proved  that  Berger  was  entirely  innocent  of 
the  crime.  In  the  year  1819,  James  Lanrnan,  Esq.  one 
of  the  most  violent  federal  Presbyterian,  persecuting  men 
in  Connecticut,  for  party,  sectarian  and  political  purposes; 
and  to  destroy  me  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  brought  an 
information  against  me  for  committing  crimes  with 
Asenath Caroline  Smith,  a  single  woman,  in  Griswold, 
in  the  county  of  New-London,  and  state  of  Connecti- 
cut.— In  October,  1820,  I  had  my  trial,  (if  it  can  be 
called  a  trial,)  the  particulars  of  which  will  be  stated 
hereafter.  I  was  declared  guilty,  suffered  two  years 
imprisonment  in  the  common  jail  in  Norwich  in  said 
county:  and  within  a  few  months  after  I  was  released, 
I  proved  beyond  all  contradiction,  before  a  joint  commit- 
tee of  both  houses  of  the  honorable  Gen  Assembly  of 
Connecticut,  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  in  the  City  of 
Hartford,  that  I  was  not  and  for  a  long  time  had  not  been 
within  about  one  hundred  miles  of  Griswold,  or  of  the 
said  Asenath,  where  and  when  the  crimes  were  commi'L- 
ted,  if  they  IV ere  ever  committed  by  any  one:  iiav,  she  her- 
self appeared  in  person  before  the  said  committee  in  the 
said  Senate  chamber,  and  made  solemn  oath,  Vyhich  cer- 
tainly was  true,  that  I  was  absolutely  innocent  of  the 
whole  transaction,  for  which,  on  her  account,  I  had  un- 
justly suffered  two  year's  imprisonment:  that  she  had 
been  over-persuaded  and  hired  by  the  said  Lanman  and 
others,  to  accuse  me  falsely,  and  to  commit  perjury,  whicii 
*On  Ilis  death  bed,  and  not  two  limirs  before  he  died  Sahei'  cDiifeised  ih.it 
he  himself  burnt  that  (laper-raiii,  and  swore  falsely  against  these  two  men  bv 
•which  they  were  condemned  and  siitFered  death  in  the  State  Prision,'  Siii* 
Isurv  mines,  !• 


had  broken  lipr  peace  of  mind,  and  caused  her  more  sor- 
row, trouble  and  tears,  than  all  the  transactions  of  her 
life  besides. 

This  her  confession  and  testimony  were  supported  hy 
the  testimony  of  others,  and  my  innocence  could  not  but 
be  apparent  to  every  unprejudiced  mind.  Oh,  how  I  fear. 
howl  treujblel  how  I  feel  for  those  poor,  unfortunate, 
miserable  creatures  who  have  committed,  and  been  ac- 
cessary to  the  dreadful  sin  of  perjury!  have  they  indeed 
*brmed  a  plan!  have  they  devised  means,  have  they  effec- 
<eatne  dreadful  purpose  of  the  disgrace,  imprisonment 
ana  utter  ruin,  in  this  world,  of  an  innocent  man,  of  a 
mmisier  of  the  Gospel,  of  one  who  had  always  been 
meir  xriend!  Oh,  how  I  lament,  how  I  deplore  and  be- 
moan their  sin,  their  ingratitude,  their  baseness! — "Oh, 
chat  my  head  were  waters  and  mine  eyes  a  fountain  of 
fears,  that  I  might  weep  day  and  night  for  the  slain  of 
the  uaughter  of  my  people." 

For  courts  oi  law  to  err  is  not  uncommon;  but  the  in- 
justio.e  of  which  I  here  complain,  is  neither  common  nor 
small;  I  feel  to  forgive  my  enemies,  persecutors,  and 
isianderers,  but  I  desire  that  truth  and  justice  may  come 
toiiglit;  that  perjury,  wickedness  and  vice  may  be  sup- 
pressed. "He  that  hath  an  ear  to  hear  let  him  hear." 
In  this  world  the  justice  and  goodness  of  the  divine  gov- 
ernment will  often  escape  the  satisfaction  of'the  most  pi- 
ous and  diligent  inquirer;  the  innocent  arc  often  con- 
demned, while  the  guilty  go  clear,  and  with  a  fair  char 
acter.  Virtue  is  condemned  to  the  punishment  of  vice, 
and  vice  receives  the  reward  of  virtue.  Jesus  Christ, 
himseh.  is  born  in  a  manger,  while  the  murderous  Herod 
who  iiaa  put  14000  children  lo  '  death,  who  were  two 
yeary  old  and  under,  ascends  the  throne  of  Israel.  The 
good  St.  Paul  is  a  prisoner  in  chains,  while  the  bloody 
Wero  sways  the  sceptre  of  the  whole  Roman  Empire. 
The  good  John  Rogers  is  burnt  at  the  stake  in  Smithfield, 
bv  ii^c  Roman  Catholics,  while  the  infamous  Bonner  is 
the  first  Bishop  in  England.  The  good  Lewis  the  six- 
teenth is  beheaded,  while  the  ambitious  and  h^ypocritical 
Bonaparte,  who  had  drenched  Europe  with  blood,  mur- 
dered 6000  men   between  Java  and   Gaza   in  Asia,  and 


changed  God's  holy  Sabbaths  to  the  tenth  day,  ascends 
the  throne  of  France.  The  aniiabl'.  Major  Andre  is  hung 
at  West  Point,  like  a  thief,  and  a  murderer,  while  the 
traitorous  and  detestable  Arnold  is  a  Wlajcr  General. 
The  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  is  a  prisoner  in  Norwich,  in  Con- 
necticut, while  the  hypocritica!,  coxcomicai  aid  detesta- 
ble James  Lanman,  wlio  had  maliciously  brought  this 
prosecution,  is  a  Senator  of  the  United  States,  while  the 
suborners  of  perjury  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Rogers  are  at 
the  bar,  or  in  the  faculty;  but  now  by  the  just  judgment 
of  God,  are  stripped  of  the  small  portion  of  respect  which 
they  once  received. 

That  equal  justice  is  always  done  to  all  men  in  this 
world,  is  not  true;  and  on  this  ground,  even  the  heathen 
philosophers  very  justly  argued  tho  existence  of  a  God, 
and  the  immortality  of  the  soul;  for  say  they,  if  there  be 
a  God,  he  must  be  a  God  of  justice;  and  since  all  men  do 
not  receive  equal  justice  in  this  world,  there  must  be  a  fu- 
ture state  of  existence,  in  v  hich  the  righteous  Governor 
of  the  Universe  will  evidently  distinguish  between  those 
who  love  and  practice  that  V  hich  is  just  and  good,  and 
those  who  do  not.  In  this  world,  the  best  and  most  mor- 
al men,  the  very  salt  of  tho  eartii,  are  often  despised  and 
neglected;  nay,  they  are  insulted,  scandalized,  perse- 
cuted, imprisoned,  and  even  put  to  death  as  the  worst  of 
human  beings  ;  while  c'lcats,  thieves,  liars,  adulterers, 
and  duellists,  who  are  murdereis;  nay,  the  very  vilest  and 
most  profane  and  immoral  men,  the  very  ofiscouring  of  all 
human  socipty,  are  caressed  a;;d  admired,  are  voted 
for  and  promoted;  they  ride  upon  the  high  places  of  the 
earth,  aad  walk  in  robes  or  lawn,  they  are  adorned  with  a 
CROWN,  or  a  mitre,  and  are  unmindiui  of  their  mortality 
or  accountability.  L'ut  the  venerable  Dr.  Watts  very 
excellently  describes  their  situation  in  his  paraphrase 
on  the  73d  Psalm,  when  he  says, 

"Lord,  what  a  thoughtless  wretch  was  I 

To  niouni  and  murmur  and  repine, 

Tc  see  the  wicked  placed  on  liigh, 

In  pride  and  robes  of    hi  nor  shine, 

But  Oh,  tiieir  end,  their  dreadful  end!"  &c 


8 

In  the  final  judgmentof  the  world,  the  justice  and  good- 
ness of  the  divine  government,  will  be  made  manifest  to 
every  understanding.  Then  shall  the  innocent  be  pro- 
tected, while  the  guilty  are  confounded.  Then  shall  the 
meek,  the  humble,  and  the  persecuted  be  exalted  and  re- 
warded; while  the  proud,  the  unjust,  the  malicious,  and 
oppressive  shall  be  brought  low  and  punished.  In  that 
day,  there  will  be  nothing  hid  which  shall  not  be  made 
manifest,  there  will  be  no  deception  which  shall  not  be 
detected,  no  injustice  which  shall  not  be  rectified;  and 
unless  by  faith  and  repentance  we  come  to  God,  in  the 
appointed  means  of  divine  grace,  we  shall  all  likewise 
perish.  The  justice  of  God  must  be  vindicated,  the  guil- 
ty must  be  punished,  the  innocent  must  be  protected  and 
rewarded,  or  the  throne  of  Heaven  must  fall. 

By  the  deeds  of  the  law  no  flesh  can  live.  We  have 
all  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God:  but  in, 
and  through  hiin  "ty/io  died  for  our  offences  and  rose  again 
for  our  justification^''''  every  son  and  daughter  of  the  hu- 
man race  may  obtain  forgiveness  and  be  forever  happy 
with  the  Lord  and  with  each  other. 

Though  from  my  fellow  men  I  have  not  deserved  the 
disgrace,  the  imprisonment,  and  the  affliction  loaded 
upon  me,  and  upon  my  friends;  yet  before  that  God  un- 
to whom  "all  hearts  are  open,  all  desires  known,  and 
from  whom  no  secrets  are  hid,"  in  other  respects  I  have 
often  offended  in  thought,  word  and  deed  and  as  I  hope 
and  expect  God,  for  Christ's  sake  to  forgive  me;  sol 
feel  in  my  heart  to  forgive  my  enemies,  persecutors  and 
slanderers,  and  pray  God  to  turn  their  hearts.  Stiii  I 
feel  it  my  duty,  in  the  promotion  of  truth  and  justice,  in 
the  suppression  of  perjury,  wickedness  and  vice,  and  in 
the  conveyance  of  that  knowledge  wliich  may  be  honora- 
ble to  God  and  useful  to  mankind,  to  lay  before  the  pub- 
lic the  following  Memoirs,  which  I  entreat  the  reader  to 
peruse  with  attention,  and  consider  with  candor;  and  to 
believe  me  his  persecuted  friend  and  hunible  servant  in 
the  ministry  of  the  Gospel  of  peace  and  reconciliation  i» 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

AM  MI  ROGERS. 

Hebron,  October  lih,  1823. 


MOIRS,  &c. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Jl  BIOGRAPHICA  L  SKE  TCH  OF  MY  LIFE  AJW 
MimSTRY. 

I,  Ammi  Rogers,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Branford,  in 
the  county  of  New-Haven,  in  the  state  of  Connecticut, 
on  the  26'th  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1770.     My 
father  was  Thomas  Rogers,  who    departed  this   life  in 
Branford,  on  the  23d  of  June,  1804,    aged  79.     He  was 
the  son  of  Josiah  Rogers,  who  departed  this  life  in  Bran- 
ford,   about   the  year   1750,   aged   86.     He  came  from 
Long-Island,  was  a  son  of  one  of  three  brothers  who  came 
from  England,  and  were  grandsons  of  the  celebrated  John 
Rogers,  a  clergyman  of  the  church  of  England,  burnt  by 
the  Roman  Catholics  in  Smithfield,  in  the  first   year  of 
the  reign  of  Queen  Mary,  1554.     My   grandfather  was 
one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  town  of  Branford;    he  own- 
ed and  occupied  the  extensive  farm   and  mills  which  are 
now  owned  and  occupied  by  my  brother   Josiah  Rogers, 
dnd  which   have  been  in    possession  of  the    family   from 
about  the  eailiest   settlement  of  the  town.     My  mother, 
before  she  was  married  was  Rebecca   Hobart,  daughter 
of  Abijah  Hobart,  of  Stonington,  in  New- London  coun- 
ty.    By  him,  a  relation  with  the  family  of  Mason  is  claim- 
ed; also,  with  the   Rev.  Mr.  Hobart,  the    former  Minis- 
ter of  Fairfield,  and  his   descendants.     My  grandmother 
Rogers  was  a  Goodsell — my  grandmother  Hobart,  was 
a  Bartholomew.     My    brothers   were    Abijah,    Rufus, 
Thomas,  Josiah,    Ehphalet  and   Hobart — my  sister  was 
Irene,  who  is  married  to  Thelus   Todd — and,  except  the 
false    and    scandalous    accusations   charged   upon    me, 
there  never  was,  so  far  as  I  know  or   believe,  a  stain  ot 
even   suspicion  of  immorality   fixed  upon  my    father  or 
mother,  grandfather  or  grandmother,  brother  or  sister. 


10  MEMOIRS. 

Perhaps  there  is  not  in  Connecticut  a  family  which  is 
and  always  has  been  more  exempt  from  the  practice  of 
every  vice,  than  that  to  which  I  have  the  honor  to  belong. 
In  (he  year  ITSS.  I  entered  the  Academy  in  Litchfield, 
under  the  tuition  of  Mr.  Osborn,  and  boarded  in  the  fam- 
ily of  the  Hon  AndrcAV  Adams,  who  was  related  to  my 
father's  family.  In  the  year  1786,  I  entered  Yale  Col- 
lege in  JN'ew-Haven,  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev. 
Ezra  Stiles,  President.  Here  I  became  more  seriously 
impressed  with  the  importance  of  religion,  and  the  awful 
concerns  of  eternit}'.  I\Iy  parents  were  pious,  and  strict 
in  the  Congregational  Presbyterian  Religion,  and  I  had 
been  brought  up  in  tlsat  way. 

From  my  earliest  childhood  I  had  been  impressed  with 
a  sense  of  God,  of  his  omniscience,  omnipresence,  om- 
nipotence, and  of  my  own  accountability.  But  human 
inability  and  hu-nian  accountability  were  so  contrary  to 
the  justice  and  goodness  of  God,  that  [  sheltered  myself 
under  the  doctrine  of  unconditional  election  and  foreor- 
dination.  This  was  taught  in  my  catechism,  and  if  that 
were  true,  I  was  safe;  but  when  I  became  convicted  of 
my  lost  and  undone  condition  by  nature,  and  by  practice, 
I  perceived  that  if  God  should  enter  into  judgment  with 
his  creatures,  by  the  deed  of  the  law,  no  man  living 
could  be  justified;  for  cursed  is  every  one  that  contin- 
ueth  not  in  all  things  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do 
them,  and  the  law  extends  to  the  very  thoughts  of  the 
heart,  as  well  as  to  the  outward  actions  of  the  body;  that 
we  were  called  upon  to  rend  our  hearts  and  not  our  gar- 
ments, to  be  up  and  doing  while  the  dny  lasted;  that  we 
were  admonished,  that  now  was  the  accepted  lime,  and 
now  was  the  day  of  salvation.  I  perceived  ihat  I  had  no 
power  of  myself,  to  help  myself:  that  my  sufficiency  for 
any  thing  which  was  good  and  acceptable  to  God,  must 
come  from  God,  that  his  grace  was  sufficient  for  me  and 
for  all  men;  therefo-re  did  he  invite  all  the  ends  of  the 
earth  to  look  to  him  and  bo  saved;  therefore  did  he  ex- 
postulate with  his  people,  why  will  ye  die,  Ohouseof  Is- 
rael! The  sacrifices  under  the  law,  and  the  atonement 
made  by  Jesua  Christ  under  the  Gospel,  were  sufficient 
for  all  men,  even  the   greatest  of  sinners.     I   found  ray 


MEMOIRS.  11 

t!iap^3ition  chanrfcd;  I    found  myself  enliohtcned   as  to 
divine  and    spirilual  tilings:  I   found  my   aiTcctions,  my 
jirospecis,  my  anticipations  and  expectations  were  not  on 
predestination  and  forc-ordination,  but  on  the   mercy  of 
God,  tiiroujih   the  merits  and  atonement  of  Christ.     la 
this    way  I  became  converted,  and  as  a  grateful   return 
to  the  great  Father  of  all    mercies,  I   determined,  and  I 
t:iou'j;!it  it  my  duty  to  preach  the  gospel,   the  good  news 
to  all  men — free  salvation  to  every  son    and  daughter  of 
the  huiian  race  upon  equal  terms,   considering   the  light 
and  knowledge    which  they  had;  and  the   unspeakable 
clanger  to  which  they  expose  themselves,  if  they  neglect 
so  great  .salvation.     I  could  not   perceive   the   propriety 
of  preaching  free  salvation  to  all  men,  if  it  were  not  pos- 
sible for  all  men  to  be  saved;  and  if  it  were    possible  for 
all  men  to  be  saved,  then  the  doctrine  which   I  had  been 
taught  must  be  false.     That  God  had,  from    all  eternity, 
r:>re-ordained  who   should    be  saved,  and  who  should  be 
damned,  I  could  not  reconcile  wifh  the  truth  of  his  word, 
in  swearing  by  himself  that  he  desired   not  the  death  of 
a  sinner;  in  inviting  all  the  ends  of  the  earth   to  look  to 
him  and  be   saved;  in    saying  that  hist  mercy   was  over 
all  his  v/orks;  in  being  tlie  light  that  lighteth  every  man 
that  cometh  into    the  v.-orld;  in    saying  that   this  will  be 
the  condemnation,    that  light   has  come   into   the  world, 
and  men  loved  darkness  rather  than  light;  in  saying  that 
the  grace  of  God,  which  brhigeth  salvation,  hath  appeared 
unto  all  mm,  teaching  iis,  that   denying   ungodliness  and 
worldly  lusts,    we  should  live   soberly,    righteously,  and 
godly  in  this  present  world.     Now  to  say,  that  God  nev- 
er designed,  nor  intended,  ror  wished,  nor   put  it  in  the 
power  of  all  mankind  to  be  saved,  was,   in  my  opinion, 
neither    honorable  to    God,    nor  useful  to  mankind,  nor 
did  I  believe  it  to  he  true.     But  if  people  will  do  despite 
to  the  spirit  ofgrac.^,  iftliey  will  resist  the   Holy  Ghost, 
if  the-,'  will  perjure  themselves  an:!  pervert  the  cause  of 
justice,  mercy   and  goodness,    if  tliey  do  not    use  the 
means  of  grace,  but   live  a.nd  die   in  the.disposition   and 
jjractice  of  what  thoy    know   to  be '-vrong,  they  v/iil  be 
<iamned,  they  must  be  miserable  and  wretched.    Where- 
forCj  saith  the  prophet,  'Hi  the-  v/icktd  forsake  his  ways 


12  MEMOIRS. 

and  the  unrighteous  man  his  thoughts,  and  let  him  re- 
turn unto  the  Lord,  and  he  \yill  have  mercy  upon  him, 
and  to  our  God,  for  he  will  ahundantly  pardon." 

The  great  design  of  all  true  religi<jn,  of  all  the  holy 
scriptures,  and  of  all  good  preaching,  is  to  change  the 
natural  disposition  of  the  human  heart,  which  is  deceit- 
ful above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked,  and  to  in- 
duce all  mankind  to  live  that  sober,  righteous  and  godly 
life,  while  in  this  world,  which  will  terminate  in  everlas- 
ting happiness  in  the  world  to  come. 

While  I  was  a  member  of  College,   my  religious  con- 
victions were  strong,  :ny  impressions  were  deep,  my  con- 
version was  hopeful  cud  joyous;  but  my  views  of  the  doc- 
rines  of  religion  were  variant  from  the  Saybrook  confes- 
sion of  faith,  and  the  Assembly's   Catechism  ;  though  at 
hat  time  an  opportunity  had  not   occurred  for  nie  to  ex- 
imine  any  other  system.     At  length,  I  obtained  permis- 
sion to  attend  for  half  a  day,  divine  worship   in  the  Epis- 
iopa!  Church:  and,  although  I  was   a   stranger  to  their 
;hurch  government  aud  worship,  yet  their  doctrine  was 
iberal,    and     conformable   to     what  I   had     previously 
bought.     This   induced  an    inquiry   into  the  origin   of 
he  religion   in  v/hich  I  had  been   educated,  and  I  found 
vhat  Yv'henour  forefathers  tirst  came  to  this  country,  they 
oame  from  England;  that  when  they  came    from  Eng- 
and  they  came  from  tlit  Church  of  England,  and  were 
lisseiiiers  from   that  Church.     This    induced  an    enquiry 
ato  the  cause  and  ground  of  theii  separation — into  what 
hey  gained,  and  into   v/hat  they  lost.     This    brought  to 
view  a  subject  with  which    I  was  wholly  unacquainted, 
;iz.  the  government  of  the  christian  church,  the  autlior- 
ty  necessary    in  the  regular  and    due    administration  (;f 
he  sacraments,  the  articles  of  the  christian     faith,  and 
he  worship  of  God  as   practised  by  churchmen    and  dis- 
ienters.  About  this  time  appeared  the  letters  of  the  Rev. 
,    Or.  Bowden  to  President  Stiles,  on  the  subject  of  a  lineal 
mccession  of  Bishops,  by  a  valid  ordination,  which  were 
■lot  answered.     I  also  read  Potter    on  Church    Gcvern- 
nent.  Cave's  Lives  of  the  Fathers,  Hooker's  Ecclesias- 
lical  Polity,  and   many  other   excellent  writers   on  ti.e 
part  of  the  church.     I  also  read  a  historv  of  the  FuriUns 


MEMOIRS.  1» 

ir.  England,  the  New-England  Memorial,  Mather's  Mag- 
i.aha,  and  the  Cambridge   and  Saybrook  Platforms  with 
such  other  books  as  I  could  find  on  the  part  of  the  dissen- 
ters.    My  earnest  endeavour  was  to   learn  and  know  the 
truth,  and  that  I  might   have  a  disposition  to  act  accor- 
dmgly.     At  this  time  I  had  never  within  my  knowled^e^^ 
seen  a  Baptist,  Methodist  or  Quaker,  but  was  fully  satia-; 
fied  that  whoever  departed  from  the  government   of  any 
society,  departed  from  that  society;  that  whoever  depar- 
ted from  the  government  of  the  christian  church,  did,  by 
that  very  act  depart  from  the  church,  and  was  in  danger  of 
losing  the  benefit  of  all  that  Christ  had  done,  and  suffered 
for  him;  that  as  no  one  could  lawfully  act  in  the  name  of 
another  without   his  authority,   so  no  one    could  lawfully 
baptize  or   administer  the   sacrament  or    hold  forth   tbo 
terms  of  life  and  salvation  to  a  guilty  world,  in  the  name 
of  the  Fathei;,  and  of  the  Son,  and    of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
without  authority  from  God;  that  this  authority  could  on- 
ly be  obtained  in  an  immediate  and  extraordinary  commis- 
sion from  Heaven,  and  then  immediate  and  extraordinary 
works  must  be   produced  to   prove  it,   for  God  never  re- 
quires his  creatures  to  believe  that  which  he  has  not  giv- 
en them  evidence  to  believe;  or   it  must  be  obtained   by 
a  succession.     To   pretend  to  work   miracles,  or  to  pro- 
duce  extraordinary  works  was  ridiculous  and  vain;  to 
claim  a  succession,  authentic  documents  must  be  produ* 
ced  to  prove  it;  and  this  could  only  be  done  in  the  Epis- 
copal church,  which  included  the  Greek,  Latin,  English, 
and  other  churches,  but  not  the  dissenters  from  the  ohurch 
of  England.     Many  very  able  and  pious  men  and  womea 
were  among  them,  but  I   could  not  be   satisfied,  that  by 
their  separation  from  the  governmei;t,  doa^fine  ana  vvor- 
ship,  of  the  universal  church,  they  had  gained  anything 
which  was  honorable  to  God^  cr   useful  to  ciaakm  i ,  for 
in  the  Episcopal  church  they  xmgVd   be  as  .able,  a?  amia- 
ble, and  as  pious  as  they  could  be  in  their  c)wu  way.     But 
they  had  lost  much. 

I  could  not  but  think  that  our  forefathers, were  mista- 
ken in  separating  from  the  church  of  jit:^la4id,  at  f  rst, 
but  at  the  same  time  adopted  this  mode  .ot^  rnase^WJig, 
viz.  after  diligent  inquiry  and  fairexaipipjtion  I  sii>cc:v.- 


:i  fflsMoiRs. 

\y  think  that  1  aiJS'l^'ht  in  my  religion,  as  an  Episcopa  ■ 
ii;in,  but  I  claim  not  infallibility — I  may  be  mistaken  ;  if 
I  am,  I  hope  God  will  forgive  me  ;  because  I  sincere- 
ly thiak  I  am  right  :  others  may   be  as  sincere  in  their 

•'  reliirion  as  I  am  in  mine.  If  I  say  that  God  will  not 
forcive  them,  how  can  I  expect  him  to  forgive  me,  if  I 
should  happen  to  be  wrong.  So  that  whoever  shall  pass 
sentence  of  condemnation  upon  his  fellow  christian,  it  is 
a  sentence  of  condemnation  passed  by  himself,  upon  him- 
self, if  he  happens  to  be  wrong.  True  it  is,  that  two 
tilings,  which  are  opposite  in  themselves,  cannot  both 
be  right  at  the  same  time,  and  every  person  who  differs 
with  me,  must  think  that  I  am  wrong,  or  that  he  himself 

',.«js  wrong  ;  and  wo  unto  them  who  shall  make   no  differ- 

'•'i'fence  between  right  and  wrong  !  But  let   each   one   say 

Vibr  himself  in  the  language  of  the  Poet, 

"  Let  not  this  weak,  unknowing  hand. 

Presume  thy  bolts  to  throw, 
And  deal  damnation  round  the  land. 

On  each  I  deem  thy  foe. 

If  I  am  riglit,  oh  !  teach  my  heart 

Still  in  the  right  to  stay  ; 
If  I  am  wrong,  tliy  grace  impart 
To  find  the  better  way." 

While  a  member  of  college,  I  left  the  congregationav 
Presbyterian  religion,  in  which  my  parents  and  I  had 
been  brought  up,  and  joined  the  Episcopal  church  ;  and 
I  did  it  because  I  then  thought,  and  now  think  it  was  my 
duty.  I  thought  that  the  Episcopal  church  was  of  di- 
vine appointment  ;  that  in  it  the  sacraments  were  ad- 
ministered by  divine  and  undoubted  authority  ;  that  the 
doctrines  taught  in  that  church  were  in  every  point  of 
view  honorable  to  God,  and  useful  to  man,  and  support- 
ed by  the  authority  of  God's  word  :  that  the  worship  of 
God  m  that  church  did  not  depend  upon  the  discretion 
or  indiscretion  of  any  one  man,  and  was  not  as  various 
and  as  discordant  as  the  tempers,  dispositions,  and  abil- 
itiies  of  all  those  who  should  lead  in  their  devotions; 
but  was  founded  upon  the  temper  and  disposition  of  th<j 
gospel,  and  supported  by  the  authority  of  the  holy  scrip- 
tures.  *In  this  church,  there  is  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one 


MEMOIRS.  iS 

baptism,  one  God,  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all, 
and  through  all,  and  in  all,  working  in  due  season,  that 
we  should  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  a  virtuous  and  good 
life.  Constantly  to  unite  in  the  same  forms  of  worship 
has  a  tendency  to  bring  us  all  to  the  same  disposition, 
and  a  sameness  of  disposition  creates  friendship  in  all 
beings  and  in  all  worlds,  (so  far  as  my  knowledge  ex- 
tends) and  by  this  says  our  blessed  Saviour,  shall  all  men 
know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  love  one  another. 
A  prayer. 
"  O,  Almighty  and  Everlasting  God,  who  alone  canst 
govern  the  unruly  wills  and  affections  of  sinful  men,  make 
me  and  all  others,  I  beseech  thee,  at  all  times  and  in  all 
places,  to  love  those  things  which  thou  dost  command, 
and  to  desire  those  things  which  thou  dost  promise,  that 
so,  among  the  sundry, manifold  changes  of  the  world,  our 
hearts  may  surely  there  be  fixed,  where  true  joys  are  to 
be  found,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."— O'lr  Father 
who  art  in  heaven,  &,c. 


CHAPTER  n. 

BIOGRAPHICJiL  SKETCH  COJVTJNUED. 

I  was  graduated  at  Yale  College,  in  New-Haven,  Con- 
necticut, in  the  year  1790  ;  and  soon  after,  was  placed 
under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jarvis  in  Middletown, 
(afterwards  bishop  Jarvis,)  in  the  study  of  divinity  and 
ecclesiastical  history,  and  boarded  in  his  family.  My  sit- 
uation soon  became  unpleasant  in  consequence  of  his 
churlish  behaviour  in  his  family  and  neglect  to  give  me 
suitable  instruction,  I  left  his  house  in  disgust,  and  was 
placed  under  the  direction,  in  my  studies,  of  the  Rev 
Edward  Blakeslee,  of  North  Haven,  and  the  Rev.  Doct. 
Mansfield,  of  Derby.  At  this,  Mr.  Jarvis  appeared  to 
be  mortified  and  displeased  ;  his  endeavours  to  excite  a 
disgust  against  me,  in  the  minds  of  some  of  the  clergy 
and  laity  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  were  soon  commu- 
nicated to  me,  and  I  soon  became  sensibie  of  the  effects 


i«  MEMOIRS. 

of  them.  Application  was  made  to  me,  to  perform  di- 
vine service,  and  to  preach,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Flev.  Doctor  Mansfield,  in  the  churches  in  Waterbury, 
Woodbury,  and  in  Salem,  which  I  did  to  the  unanimous 
approbation  of  the  parishes.  But  Mr.  Jarvis,  by  the 
consent  of  bishop  Seabury,  soon  sent  Mr.  Hart,  then  a 
candidate  for  the  ministry,  to  take  charge  of  these  par- 
ishes. This  excited  uneasiness,  and  a  division  among 
them.  I  declined  performing  service  there,  the  church 
m  Salem  refused  to  employ  Mr.  Hart,  and  unfriendly 
feelings  were  excited.  In  the  year  1791,  I  attended 
the  Convention  or  Convocation  of  the  church  in  Wa- 
tertown  with  a  view  of  being  examined  and  admitted  as 
a  candidate,  but  perceiving  the  hostile  disposition  of 
Mr  Jarvis,  and  the  influence  he  had  gained  with  some 
of  the  clergy,  I  withdrew,  without  offering  myself,  or 
making  my  intentions  known.  And  wishing  to  avoic 
any  thing  unpleasant,  I  received  letters  of  recommen- 
dation from  the  Rev.  Doctor  Mansfield,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Blakeslee  and  others;  also  from  the  church  in  Bran- 
ford,  Northford,  and  others,  and  went  into  the  state  of 
New- York,  and  commenced  a  Reader  in  the  churches 
in  Schenectady  and  Ballston,  under  the  direction  of  the^ 
Rev.  Mr.  Ellison  of  Albany.  In  this  situation,  having 
given  notice  to  the  bishop  of  New-York,  I  remained 
until  the  next  year,  when  I  was  recommended  to  the 
said  bishop  of  New- York,  and  standing  committee  of  the 
church  in  that  state,  for  deacon's  orders,  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Mansfield,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blakeslee,  in  whose 
families  I  had  resided,  and  studied  divinity  and  ecclesi- 
astical history;  by  the  church  in  Branford,  where  I  had 
been  bom  and  brought  up,  and  where  I  had  been  known 
from  my  infancy,  and  where  public  notice  had  been 
given  to  the  congregation,  assembled  in  the  church  for 
public  worship  on  Sunday,  the  15th  day  of  April,  179*2, 
that  in  the  month  of  June,  in  that  year,  I  should  apply 
to  the  bishop  and  standing  committee  of  the  church,  in 
the  state  of  New-York,  to  be  ordained  a  deacon;  and 
they  were -then  solemnly  called  upon  in  the  name  of  Cod, 
if  they  knew  any  thing  scandalous  in  my  conduct  ot 
character,  or  any  just  cause  or  reason  why  I  should   not 


MEMOIRS.  17 

be  ordained,  to  let  it  be  known  within  one  month,  that  it 
might  be  communicated  to  the  proper  authority.  I  was 
also  recommended  as  aforesaid,  by  the  church  in  Korth- 
lord  ;  by  the  church  in  Guilford,  by  the  church  in  Bals- 
ton,  and  by  the  church  in  the  city  of  Schenectady,  where 
I  then  resided,  anl  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ellison  of  Albany, 
under  whose  care  and  direction  I  had  been  employed 
as  a  reader  for  about  one  year  :  with  these  recommen- 
dations, and  my  diploma  from  College,  I  offered  myseli? 
to  the  aforesaid  bishop  and  standing  committee,  to  be 
examined  and  ordained  a  deacon  ;  and  on  the  18th  and 
19th  days  of  June,  1792,  I  was  examined  by  the  Right 
Rev.  Jiishop  Provoost,  and  the  said  standing  committee, 
at  the  house  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  (afterwards  bishop)  Moore, 
in  the  city  of  New- York.  First,  on  my  internal  call, 
and  views  in  regard  to  the  ministry  j  on  that  change  of 
the  natural  disposition,  which  is  ijecessary  to  fit  us  for 
God's  heavenly  kingdom  ;  in  my  knowledge  and  belief 
in  the  holy  scriptures,  and  my  earnest  intention  by 
God's  grace  to  conform  my  heart  and  practice  to  them  ; 
in  my  knowledge  of  the  English,  Latin,  Greek  and  He- 
brew languages  ;  in  my  knowledge  of  a  general  system 
and  body  of  divinity,  and  ecclesiastical  history,  m  my 
knowledge  of  the  lives  and  travels  of  the  apostles  and 
primitive  fathers  of  the  church  ;  in  my  knowledge  of 
the  general  and  liberal  arts  and  sciences,  &.c . ;  and  after 
two  days  strict  trial  and  full  examination  and  with  the 
aforesaid  recommendations,  I  was  honorably  approved, 
accepted,  and  recommended  to  the  said  bishop  as  the 
cannons  directed,  to  be  ordained.  The  day  after  this 
recommendation,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jarvis,  of  Middletown, 
in  Connecticut,  came  to  New- York  and  informed  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  one  of  the  said  standing  committee, 
that  I  was  a  very  unworthy  young  man,  and  had  actually 
been  refused  holy  orders  in  Connecticut.  I  assured  Dr. 
Beach,  that  Mr.  Jarvis  was  my  enemy,  because  I  had 
lefl  his  house,  and  refused  to  live  and  study  with  him, 
and  that  what  he  had  said  was  not  true.  I  requested 
him  to  suspend  his  judgement,  and  not  to  mention  what 
Mr.  Jarvis  had  said,  until  I  could  go  to  Connecticut  and 
obtain  further  recommendations,  and  a  certificate  fiora 
2* 


18  MEMOIRS. 

the  secretary,  that  I  had  not  been  refused  orders  in  that 
state.  This  he  consented  to  do,  and  I  accordingly  went 
to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Dibble,  of  Stamford,  stated  my  case  to 
him,  requested  him  to  examine  me  and  my  documents, 
and  if  he  should  find  me  worthy  and  well  qualifiied,  to 
recommend  me  to  the  bishop  and  standing  committee  of 
New- York,  to  be  ordained.  This  he  very  freely  did, 
and  at  the  same  time  expressed  his  astonishment  at  the 
conduct  of  Mr.  Jarvis.  I  then  went  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Oglesvie,  of  Norwalk,  made  the  same  statement  and 
request,  and  obtained  the  same  recommendation.  I  then 
went  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Shelton,  of  Newfield,  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Clark,  of  Huntington,  and  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Marsh, 
of  Ncw-Milford,  made  to  them  individually  the  same 
communication  and  request,  and  after  due  examination, 
received  the  same  recommendation  from  them.  I  then 
went  to  the  house  of  the  Rev.  Mr,  Perry,  of  Newton, 
who  was  secretary  of  the  Convention  of  Connecticut,  to 
obtain  a  certificate,  that  I  had  not  been  refused  holy  or- 
ders in  that  state,  in  order  to  contradict  the  fasehood  of 
Mr,  Jarvis.  When  I  arrived  there  Mr.  Perry  was  from 
home  on  a  journey  ;  I  stated  my  business  to  Mrs,  Per- 
ry, and  wished  to  examine  the  records,  which  I  did  in 
her  presence,  and  in  the  presence  of  a  Mr,  Isaac  Da 
vis  who  was  there,  he  was  a  young  gentleman  with  whom 
I  was  acquainted,  when  I  Avas  a  member  of  College  ; 
not  finding  my  name  on  the  record,  as  I  was  sure  it  was 
not,  Mr.  Perry  being  from  home,  the  day  of  my  ordina- 
tion having  been  appointed,  and  nothing  but  the  evi- 
dence of  a  plain  matter  of  fact  wanted  ;  Mr.  Davis  con- 
sented to  give  a  certificate  in  the  name  of  Mr,  Perry, 
tbat  no  act  of  the  bishop  and  clergy  of  Connecticut, 
had  been  passed,  refusing  me  orders  in  that  state  ;  this 
he  did — and  with  this  certificate,  and  with  these  recom- 
mendations, I  returned  to  New- York,  satisfied  Dr.  Beach 
(who  was  only  one  of  a  committee  of  eight,  and  only  a 
majority  was  necessary,)  and  I  was  ordained  a  deacon, 
in  Trinity  Church,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  by  the 
Right  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D.  bishop  of  the  Pro- 
testant  Episcopal  Church  in  that  state,  on  the  twenty - 
fourth  day  of  June,  A.  D.   1792. 


MEMOIRS.  1» 

• 

On  the  day  after  my  ordination,  I  called  on  the  said 
Dr.  Beach  for  my  papers  and  documents,  as  they  could 
be  of  no  use  to  him.     Those  which  were  directed  to  the 
standing  committee  he  claimed  as  vouchers  for  his  con- 
duct in  recommending  me,  and  refused  to  return  them  ; 
but  the  certificate  written  by  Mr.  Davis,  was  not  direc- 
ted to  any  body  and  was  returned  to  me.     On   my  way 
home,  which  was  in  Schenectady,  I  went  to  the  house 
of  Mr.  Perry  in  Newton,  gave  him  the  certificate  which 
Mr.  Davis  had  given  me  in  his  absence,  told  him  hov»' 
[  came  by  it,  and  what  it  was  given  for.     His  reply  was, 
''  [  am  sorry  that  I  was  not  at  home  when  you  was  here 
before,  for  I  should   have  been  glad  to   have   afforded 
you  every  assistance  in  my  power,  and  am  glad  that  Mr. 
Davis  gave  you  this  certificate."     He  then  tore   it  in 
two,  and  gave  me  one  halt  of  it,  as  we  were  standing  near 
each  other.     He  then  said,  "  to  prevent   any   difficulty 
that  may  arise,  I  had  better  give   you   one  myself,  and 
then  sa,t  down  and  wrote  the  following,  with  his  own  hand, 
and  which  is  now  in  my  possession,  viz. 

"  This  may  certify,  that  no  act  has  ever  been   passed 
by  the  Convocation  of  the  clergy  of  Connecticut,   pro- 
hibiting the  Rev.  Mr.  Ammi  Rogers  receiving   holy   or- 
ders in  this  church. 
Certified  by 

PHILO  PERRY,  Secretary  of  Convocation. 
July  5th,  1792." 

Soon  after  my  return  to  Schenectady,  I  received  the 
following  letter,  addressed  to 

The  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  Schenectady. 

JVew- York,  August  Ith,  1792. 
Reverend  Sir, 

Suffer  me  to  congratulate  you  on  your  ordination,  and 
to  wish  you  all  possible  success  and  happiness.  From 
my  acquaintance  with  you,  I  feel  strongly  impressed  with 
an  idea  of  your  eminence.  I  have  seen  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Perry,  of  Newton,  and  informed  him  that  I  had  given 
you  a  certificate,  and  put  his  name  to  it  ;  he  said  that  I 
had  done  right  and  that  he  had  seen  you  since,  and  had 
given  you  one  to  the  same  purport  in  his  own  hand  wri- 
ting, and  that  the  one  which  I  wrote  was   destroyed.     I 


20  MEMOISS. 

have  some  expectation  of  beirj:;  in  your  part  of  the  ccun- 
try  this  fall  ;  if  such  athing  s'iould  happen,  I  hope  to 
liavc  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you. 

Your  sincere  friend   and  well  wisher, 

ISAAC  Davis. 

My  ministry  was  blessed  beyond  what  I  had  reason 
to  cspect,  though  not  to  exceed  my  endeavors  ;  a  sense 
of  the  divine  Majesty,  and  all  his  adorable  attributes, 
were  deeply  fixed  in  my  mind,  with  an  affecting  impress- 
ion oi^  the  awful  responsibility  of  my  ofhce  ^  my  endeavors 
were  to  make  my  hearers  sensible  of  their  lost  and  un- 
done situation,  by  the  natural  depravity  of  their  minds, 
aiul  the  absolute  necessity  of  the  use  of  all  the  means 
of  grace,  that  they  might  be  converted  and  enjoy  the 
(omlortable  and  blessed  hope  of  glory,  which  would  be 
that  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding,  that 
peace  which  this  world  could  not  give.  My  preaching 
and  my  endeavors,  were  to  represent  the  God  of  heaven, 
whom  v/e  adore,  in  the  most  amiable  and  pleasing  point 
of  view  possible,  and  to  persuade  myself  and  my  people 
to  love  him  and  to  imitate  him.  As  my  preaching  re- 
spected my  fellow  men,  it  was  first  to  inform  and  en- 
lighten their  understanding  in  the  most  religious  and  mor- 
al doctrines  and  duties  of  Christianity,  and  then  to  move 
their  affections,  to  believe  and  act  accordingly. 

From  the  24th  of  June,  1792,  to  October,  1793,  I  ad- 
ministered 130  baptisms  ;  I  married  SO  persons  ;  and 
deposited  five  dead  bodies  of  my  fellow  christians  in  the 
grave, "  looking  for  the  general  resurrection  in  the  last 
day,  and  the  life  of  the  world  to  come,  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Chirst."  Within  the  time  last  mentioned,  the 
huildmg  of  St.  George's  church  in  Schenectady,  which 
during,  and  since  the  revolutionary  war,  had  lain  most 
of  the  time  destitute,  neglected,  and  greatly  injured,  was 
repaired  and  made  comfortable.  It  was  an  elegant  stone 
building,  with  a  handsome  steeple  and  good  organ,  and 
had  been  well  finished.  It  would  be  ungrateful  and  un- 
just not  to  mention  the  name  of  Mr.  William  Corlett,  a 
rnan  from  the  Isle  of  Man  :  whose  pious  attentions  and 
generous  contributions  to  St.  George's  church,  in  the 
city  of  Schenectady,  ought  never  to  be  forgotten  ;  for  to 


MEMOIRS.  21 

Iiis  example  and  exertions  that  parish  is  much  indebted. 
During  this  time  also  :  the  church  in  Ballston,  from  on- 
ly about  fourteen  families,  had  become  numerous  and 
respectable,  and  their  house  of  worship  was  raised  and 
enclosed  ;  the  greatest  friendship  and  harmony  subsisted 
between  me  and  all  my  people,  and  among  themselves. 

In  October,  17,93,  I  attended  the  convention  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  New- York,  assembled 
ill  the  city  of  New-York,  of  which  I  was  a  member, 
and  then  made  the  foregoing  returns  to  the  bishop,  re- 
ceived his  approbation  and  thanks,  with  an  invitation  to 
jireach  in  Trinity  Church,  and  St.  Paul's  Church  in  the 
city  of  New- York,  which  I  did,  1  was  now  in  love,  friend- 
ship, and  fellowship,  with  the  Bishop  and  all  the  cler- 
gy,with  my  own  parishes,  and  with  the  whole  church,  ex- 
cept Mr.  Jarvis,  and  some  of  his  particular  friends.  Witii 
liis  conduct  I  felt  myself  abused,  though  what  he  inten- 
ded for  my  injury,  had  eventuated  in  my  good  and  pros- 
perity: for  my  situation  in  the  state  of  New-York  was 
much  better  than  I  could  have  expected  in  Connecticut. 
I  was  favored  with  thousands  of  blessings,  and  my  great 
and  earnest  care  was  to  make  a  grateful  and  practical 
return,  by  a  conscientious  discharge  of  my  ordination 
vows,  and  a  holy,  humble,  and  exemplary  walk  before 
God  and  his  people  of  every  denomination.  Oh  how  of- 
ten have  I  alone,  with  closed  doors,  on  my  knees,  be- 
fore God,  read  the  ordination  service  of  the  Episcopal 
church  with  prayers,  and  tears,  and  fasting,  th^t  God  of 
his  great  mercy,  would  please  to  direct  and  assist  rne  in 
all  my  doings,  with  his  most  gracious  favor, and  further 
me  with  his  continual  help,  that  in  all  my  works,  hei^iin, 
continued,  and  ended  in  him,  I  might  glorify  his  noly 
name,  and  finally,  that  I,  and  all  committed  to  my  care, 
and  the  whole  world  of  mankind,  might  obtain  everlastinif 
life  and  happiness,  through  Jesus  Clirist  our  Lord.  Aineu 


22  MEMOIRS. 

CHAPTER  III. 
A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  COJ^TINUED    \ 

Tiie  year  1794  was  to   me   vastly   important.     In  the 
year  I  was  married  to  the  very  amiable    IVIiss  Margare 
Bloore,  about  18  years  old,    of  an  excellent  disposition, 
and  well  educated.     She   was  the  only  daughter  of  Mr. 
Joshua  Bloore,  a  gentleman  from   Manchester   in  Eng- 
land, who  came  to  this  country  and  settled  as  a  merchant 
m  Albany,  and  afterwards  moved  into  the  county  of  Sar- 
atoga, where  I  became  acquainted  with  him  and  his  fam- 
ily.    Kis  wife  before   he   married  her,  was   a  Margaret 
Brintnal,  of  Langly  parish  in  Derbyshire,  England.     In 
that  year,  I   was  recommended  to  the  Bishop  and  stan- 
ding committee  of  the  Episcopal  church,  in  the  state  of 
New-York;  was  again  examined  by  them  as  before,  was 
recommended  by  the  said  standing  committee,  to  be  or- 
dained by    the  said  bishop. — And  in   Trinity  church,  in 
the  city  of  New- York,  on  the  19th  day  of  October,  A.  D. 
1794,  I  was   ordained   a  PRIEST,  by  the   Right  Rev. 
Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D.  bishop  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal church  in   the  state  of  New-York.     Before  this,  it 
was  known  that  Dr.   Beach  and  Mr.  Jarvis  had  become 
reconciled  in  regard  to  the  falsehood  communicated  rel- 
ative to   me;  and  he  was  left  out  of  the   said    standing 
committee,  tlaough  he  attended  and   assisted  at  my  ordi- 
nation as   a  PRIEST,    and  received  the  sacrament    of  the 
Lord^s  Supper  with  me  at  that  time.     But  the  same  night 
after  the  ordination,  he  complained  to  the  Bishop  that  I 
ijad  brought  to  him  a  forged  certificate,    before  I  was  or- 
dained a  deacon.     The  next   day  the  Bishop  colled  us 
l)oth  before  him,  and  caused  an  inquiry.     I  stated  to  him 
the  case  as  it  was,   relative  to  the   certificate  which  Mr. 
Davis  had  given  to   me,  in  the  absence    of  Mr.   Perry; 
that  on  my  way  home  1  had  called  on  Mr.  Perry,  infor- 
med him  what  was   done,  and  gave    iiim  the  certificate; 
*^^t  he  approved  of  it,  and  gave  another  to  the  same  pur- 
port, in  Ilia  own  hand   writing,  which  I    then  laid    before 
the  Bishop,  with  tUg  letter   of  Mr.  Davis,  dated  Augusl 


MEMOIRS.  23 

7tli  1792.  Dr.  Beach  acknowledged,  before  the  bishop, 
that  the  facts  were  true,  as  I  stated  them,  and  said  he 
thought  there  ought  to  be  an  investigation.  The  bish- 
op rephed,  that  he  did  not  know  how  that  could  be 
brouglit  against  me  as  a  Priest,  which  took  place  before 
I  was  a  deacon;  that  Dr.  Beach  was  present  and  assis- 
ted at  my  ordination  as  a  priest,  and  if  he  had  any  ob- 
jection, then,  or  before,  was  the  time  to  make  it  ;  that  I 
had  undergone*  a  better  examination,  and  was  amply  rec- 
ommended, by  more  clergymen,  and  more  churche^j 
than  any  he  had  ever  ordained,  and  the  rcuilt  of  my 
ministry  proved  that  he  had  not  been  imposed  upon;  that 
in  all  forgeries,  there  must  be  some  falsehood,  but 
in  this  case  there  is  no  pretence  of  falsehood,  and  it 
would  he  very  unlikely  that  so  many  respectable  clergy- 
men and  parishes  would  recommend  me  to  be  ordained 
in  New- York,  if  I  had  been  refused  orders  in  Connecti- 
cut, or  if  I  was  unworthy  of  the  ministry;  that  the  cer- 
tificate itself  was  a  mere  evidence  of  fact,  such  as  any 
one  might  have  given,  who  had  examined  the  records; 
that  it  xvas  obtained,  and  used  not  to  prevent  truth  and  jus 
tice,  but  to  suppress  an  acknowledged  falsehood;  and  he 
therefore  decided  that  Dr.  Beach  had  no  cause  of  com- 
plaint, and  dismissed  the  enquiry,  desiring  us  to  be  re- 
conciled. Dr.  Beach  then,  in  the  presence  of  the  Bisl  . 
op,  requested  me  to  overlook  all  that  had  passed  be- 
tween us:  offered  me  his  hand  in  friendship,  and  asked 
me  to  preach  for  him  the  next  Sunday,  in  St.  George's^ 
church  in  the  City  of  New- York;  the  whole  of  which  I 
complied  with  and  the  matter  was  settled.  Still  there  was 
not  that  cordiality  between  him  and  me  that  there  was 
between  me  and  the  other  clergy. 

From  October,  1793,  to  October,  1794,1  admmister- 
ed  184  baptisms;  married  18  persons,  and  buried  11,  and 
had  preached  176  sermons;  my  ministerial  labors  had 
become  very  extensive,  and  I  had  reason  to  believe,  very 
acceptable.  When  in  the  city  of  New- York,  I  preach- 
ed m  Trinity  church,  in  St  Paul's  church,  and  in  St. 
George's  Chapel,  in  Beekman  street.  Reflecting  on  the 
occurrences  of  this  year,  I  feel  to  express  myself  in  the 
woir<i8  of  the  14th  hymn,  in  the  book  of  Common  Prayer, 
viz.  ■ 


21  MEMOIRS. 

"Wlieu  all  tliy  mercies,  O  my  God, 
Mv  rising  soul  surveys, 
Transported  witli  the  view  1  m  lost 
In  wonder,  love  and  praise,"  &c. 

My  general  practice  was  to  encourage  family  devo- 
tion every  day,  setting  the  example  myself;  to  compose 
and  write  my  own  sermons,  and  the  subject  was  taken 
iVomthat  part  of  the  holy  scriptures,  which,  by  the  es- 
tiiblished  order  of  the  Episcopal  church,  every  mmister 
was  obliged  to  read  to  his  people  on  that  day. 

From  Oct.  1794,  to  Oct.  1795,  I  administered  123 
baptisms;  admitted  upon  their  credible  profession  of 
faith,  repentance,  and  an  intention,  by  God's  grace,  to 
lead  a  new  and  better  life,  90  persons  to  the  holy  com- 
munion; I  joined  20  persons  in  marriage,  deposited  8 
dead  bodies  of  my  fellow  christians  in  the  grave,  and  de- 
livered about  160  sermons;  was  much  given  to  reading, 
to  study,  to  self-examination  and  to  prayer.  I  attended 
the  convention,  was  in  great  love  and  friendship  with 
the  Bishop,  with  my  brethren  the  clergy  and  the  laity. 
I  preached  in  most  of  the  Episcopal  churches  in  the 
city  of  New-York,  and  returned  to  my  parishes  with  a 
renewed  determination  that  I  would,  by  God's  help,  fulfil 
my  ordination  engagements. 

At  this  time  my  ministerial  labours  extended  to  almost 
every  part  of  the  county  of  Saratoga,  and  to  some  oi 
the  neighbouring  counties. 

From  October  1795  to  October  1796,  I  administered 
246  baptisms.  The  number  of  communicants  had' m- 
sreased  to  120.     I  married  32  persons,  and  buried  8. 

From  Oct.  1796,  to  Oct.  1797, 1  administered  186  bap- 
tisms ;  my  communicants,  had  increased  to  158.     I  mar 
ried  14  persons  and  buried  4. 

In  the  year  1797,  there  was  a  very  unhappy  occur- 
rence. Delegates  from  the  state  of  New- York  to  the 
general  convention  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  the  Uni- 
ted States,  to  be  holden  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  were 
to  be  appointed,  for  the  purpose,  among  other  thmg?,  of 
revising  the  39  articles  of  religion  of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land, and  of  adopting  them  in  this  country,  or  of  rejec- 
ting them.     It  so  happened  that  in  this  electi,on  the  tier- 


MEMOIRS.  25 

gy  were  almost  unanimous  in  my  favour,    and   the    laity 
were  about  equally  divided  in  their  choice  between    the 
Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  my  fgrmer  opposer,  and   me.     In   this 
v.-ay  they  ballotted  eleven  times,  each  party  adhering  to 
his  vote  and  no  choice  was  made,   when    the    said  Dr. 
Beacli  arose  and  said,  "  if  mxj  brethren  the  clergy  suppose 
that  that  yoimg  man,  meaning  me,  is    better  qualified  to  fill 
that  most  important  station  in  the  church— one  of  the   most 
important  stations  in  the  church  that  ever  wa»  or  perhaps 
ever  tcill  he,  xohtn   the   articles   oj    religion   in   the   ichole 
church  of  the  United  States  are  to  be  arranged  and  settled, 
1 71010  declare  that  I  mil   not  accept  the   appointment,  nor 
icilllever  set  inthis  corivention luith  him  again.^^     He  then 
took  his  hat,  went  off,  apparently   in  anger,    and   I   was 
almost  unanimously  elected  ;  went  to    Philadelphia   on 
that  business,  and  was   a   member   of  the    said    general 
convention  in  1797,  '98  and  '99.      I  was   at   the   same 
time  a  member  of  the  convention  of  the  Episcopal  church 
in  the  state  of  New-York,  and  it   is   believed  that  few 
clertrymen  of  my  age  had  received   more  honour,    more 
approbation,  and  more  preferments  among  his   brethren, 
in  the  convention  and  in  the  church  than   I  had.     Soon 
•ifter  my  return  from  the  convention  in  1797,  I  received 
the  following  letter  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  afterwards 
bishop  Moore,  viz. 

To  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  in  Ballston, 

Neiv- York,  Dec.   Uth,  1797. 

Dear  Sir —  ' 

I  have  been  expecting  for  some  days  past  a  letter  ei- 
ther from  you  or  from  Mr.  Ellison,  respecting  the  busi- 
ness of  the  Lutheran  church,  for  the  management  of 
which,  you  know  we  are  the  committee  appointed  by  the 
convention.  I  wish  you  would  attend  to  it,  and  let  me 
know  the  result  of  your  deliberations. 

Doctor  Beach  is  very  much  displeased  at  your  appoint- 
ment as  a  delegate  to  the  general  covxcntion.  He  con- 
ceives himself  insulted  by  pxdiing  you  in  the  place  which 
he  supposes  ought  to  have  been  fitted  by  himself,  and  seems 
to  think  it  necessary  to  shoiff  bij  depreciating  your  charac- 
ter, that  the  convention  made  an  improper  choice.  I  cal- 
led on  him  the  day  before  yesterday  to   converse   with 

3 


_ft  MEMOIRS. 

hiu  on  the  subject  ;  he  charges  you  with  having  brought 
torged  recommendations,  when  you  applied  for  holy  or- 
ders. I  told  him  I  should  certainly  state  the  matter  to 
vou  ;  and  I  wish  you  would  give  me  some  explanation 
:'  this  business,  so  that  if  it  be  practicable,  I  may  check 
,6  evil  reports  which  some  people  are  circulating 
a.-nong  our  brethren  the  clergy,  and  I  have  reason  to 
tiiink  among  the  laity  also.  You  know  the  high  sense  I 
entertain  of  your  industry  and  utility  in  the  church  ;  and 
to  rub  off  any  stain  wJiich  calumny  may  attempt  to  throv/ 
upon  innocence,  will  be  a  great  satisfaction  to  your  friend 
and  brother. 

BENJAMIN  MOORE. 

To  the  foregoing  letter,  I  sent  the  following  answer  : 
To  the  Rev.  Dr.  Benjamin  Moore,  New-York. 
Balhton,  December  20th,  1797. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir — 

I  received  your  favour  of  the  11th  inst.  this  morning, 
and  now  thank  you  for  taking  my  part  in  my  absence. 
When  Dr.  Beach  says  that  I  brought  forged  recomen- 
dations,  when  1  applied  for  holy  orders,  it  is  a  notori- 
ous FALSEHOOD,  and  he  knows  it.  The  matter,  to  which 
he  alludes  was  fully  inquired  into  by  Bishop  Provoost, 
some  years  ago,  viz.  on  the  day  after  I  was  ordained  a 
priest  ;  and  was  by  him  dismissed  as  unworthy  of  no- 
tice, and  to  him  I  refer  you  for  information  on  the  sub- 
ject. [Seepages  17,  18,  19,  &c  22.]  I  wish  you  and  Mr. 
Bissitt  would  call  on  Bishop  Provoost  on  the  subject, 
and  then  inform  Dr.  Beach  and  his  friends  what  the  Bish- 
op says  about  it  ;  this  will  make  him  look  meaner  than 
he  now  does,  if  possible. 

As  to  the  business  of  the  Lutheran  church,  Mr.  Elli- 
son and  I  have  had  a  consultation  on  the  subject,  and 
are  calculating  to  see  the  Rev.  Mr.  Quitman,  when  we 
will  let  you  know  more  about  it  ;  I  think  the  prospect  is 
favourable.  I  have  a  call  to  attend  a  I'uneral  in  Gai- 
way,  and  must  bid  you  farewell,  and  I  am,  dear  sir,  with 
every  sentiment  of  esteem  and  affection,  your  much 
obliged  friend  and  brother, 

AMMI  ROGERS. 


J^MOIRS.  2V 

Bishop  Provoost  entirely  satisfied  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moorcj 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bissitt,  on  the  subject  of  Mr.  Perry's 
certificate,  which  Dr.  Beach  had  most  falsely  and  mo.si 
unjustly  called  forged  recommendations,  when  I  applied 
for  holy  orders,  and  I  heard  no  more  of  it  until  1803 
six  years  after. 

From  October  1797,  to  October  1798,  I  administered 
25 1  baptisms  ;  my  communicants  were  208  \  I  joined 
.36  persons  in  marriage,  and  attended  19  funerals  ;  and 
preached  about  180  sermons.  There  was  but  one  coun- 
try clergyman  in  the  state  of  New-York,  at  that  time, 
whose  returns  to  the  Bishop,  or  whose  ministerial  la- 
bours were  so  extensive  as  mine. 

From  October  1798,  to  October  1799,  when  as  usual 
I  attended  the  convention,  I  administered  168  baptisms  , 
had  210  communicants,  married  16  persons,  attended  13 
burials,  preached  about  170  sermons. 

At  this  time,  an  Anabaptist   teacher  had  commenced 
an  attack  upon  me,  and  upon  the  church,  by   publishing 
in  the   newspaper  printed   in  Ballston,  an   anonymous 
piece  against  the  observance  of  Christmas,  ana  the  oth- 
er festivals  of  the  church.     This   piece   was   answered  i 
by  me,  anci  that  again  was  answered  by  him  ;  and  thus 
the  dispute  was  pursued  for  many  months,  with  great 
warmth  on  both  sides  ;  until  at  length  a  public  discus- 
sion was  personally  had   in  the  Court-house  in  Ballston, 
in  presence  of  many  hundreds  of  people.   The  result  was 
as  migljt  have  been  expected,  no  conviction  of  error  on 
either  side  ;  but  worsted  in  argument,  my  antagonist  and 
his  party  had  recourse  to  personal    invective  ;  this    wa.^ 
replied  to  by  the  wardens  and  vestry    cf  the    church  in 
Ballston  and  by  more  than  forty  of  my   nearest  neigh- 
bours, of  every  denomination  ;  in  which  my  conduct  and 
character  both  as  a  minister  and  a  man  were    fully  vin- 
dicated. 

From  October  1799,  to  October  1800,  I  administerer! 
137  baptisms  ;  my  communicants  had  increased  to  2i8. 
I  married  28  persons,  and  buried  5,  and  preached  about 
150  sermons,  exclusive  of  many  lectures  and  public  e.\ 
hortations. 

This  year  was  to  me  the  beginning  of  sorrow.     I  had 


2g  MEMOIRS 

■  devoted  myself  entirely  to  the  work  of  the  ministry      In 
the  county  of  Saratoga,  my  people  had  increased  from 
about  14  families,  to  about  4000  souls  ;  they  had  built  a 
new  church  in  Ballston,  and  finished  It   with  an   elegant 
steeple,  bell  and  organ.     They  had  become  mcorporate, 
and  built  a  new  church  with  a  handsome   steeple,  in  the 
town  of  Milton,  and  also  in  the  town    of  Stillwater.— In 
Waterford  they  had  become   a   body    corporate,   and   a 
large  number  had  joined  that  society  ;  a  very    respecta- 
ble society  was  also  collected  in  Charlton  and  m  Galway 
and  in  other  parts  of  that  county.     I  had  some  time   be- 
fore resigned  my  parish  in  Schenec^dy  to  the  Rev.  Robt 
G.  Wetmore,  who  was  a  very  worthy  man,    and  a   mos 
excellent  clergyman,  and  my   labours  were  extended   t. 
Fort  Hunter  and  to  Johnston.    I  had  visited,  and  preach 
ed,  and  administered  sacraments  in  Boon's   settlement, 
in  Utica,  in  Paris,  and  in  various  parts  of  the  county  of 
Otsego  ;  and  in  many  other  parts  of  the  country,  did  I 
as  opportunity  offered,  extend  the  knowledge  of  what 
conceived  to   be  true  religion  ;  prosperity  in  the   mu 
istry,  and  a  fair  reputation  seemed  to  attend  me  wher. 
ever  I  went.  „.    . 

,     But  the  time  was  come  when   I  must  suffer  afflictioi 
'     In  the  summer  and  fall  of  1800,  a   sickness  pr evade 
in  the  county  of  Saratoga  with  which  many  died.     M 
wife  was  taken  with  it,  and  on  the  eleventh  day  departed 
this  life,  in  the  26th  year  of  her  age.     When    she   was 
taken  with  the  disease  she  was  in  full  health  and  strength, 
with  a  child  only  a  few   months   old  ;  medical   aid  was 
soon  called  for,  and  the  most  skilful  physicians  attended; 
but  alas  !  to  no  other  purpose  than  a  momentary    relief. 
The  day  but  one  before  she  died,  she  wrote  the    foUow- 
ino-  lines,  in  my  absence,  and  they   are   the   last  words 
she  ever  did  write.      Given  over   by   the  physicians,    and 
knowing  that  she  must  soon  die,  she  says  : 

"Oh  thou,  unknown,  Almighty  cause, 

Of  all  my  hope  and  feai-, 

In  whose'  dread  presence,  ere  an  hour, 

Perhaps  I  must  appear. 

I  f  I  have  wander'd  in  those  paths 

Of  life  I  ought  to  shun. 

As  something,  loudly,  in  my  breast 


MEMOIRS.  V 

Remonstrates  I  have  done. 

Thou  know'st  that  tbou  hast  formed  me 

With  passions  wild  and  strong, 

And  list'nirig  to  their  witching  voice. 

Has  often  led  me  wrong. 

Where  human  weakness  has  come  short, 

Or  frailty  step'd  aside  ; 

Do  thou,  all  good,  for  such  thou  art  ; 

In  shades  of  darkness  hide. 

Where  with  intention  I  have  err'd, 

IVo  other  plea  I  have. 

But  thou  art  good,  and  goodness  still 

Delighieth  to  forgive." 

Not  more  than  two  hours  before  she  departed  this  hfe 
by  her  request,  I  administered  to  her,  and  to  our  neigh- 
bours who  were  present,  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
supper  ;  the  service  she  performed  with  astonishing 
strength  of  mind  and  clearness  of  voice,  and  particular- 
ly she  repeated  this  part  with  uncommon  interest  and 
energy,  saying,  with  a  loud  full  voice, — 

'•  Therefore  with  angels,  and  archangels,  and  with 
all  the  company  of  heaven,  we  laud  and  magnify  thy 
glorious  name  ;  evermore  praising  thee  and  saying.  Ho- 
ly, holy,  holy.  Lord  God  of  Hosts  ;  heaven  and  earth 
are  full  of  thy  glory.  Glory  be  to  thee,  O  Lord  Most 
Hiffh.     Amen." 

Only  a  few  minutes  before  she  expired,  I  asked  hei 
if  she  felt  willing  to  die.  Her  reply  was,  '^  you  and  I 
have  always  lived  happy  together,  and  for  your  sake, 
and  for  the  sake  of  my  children,  I  wish  to  live  ;  but  for 
me,  it  is  without  doubt,  to  take  me  from  some  great  un- 
foreseen evil,  which  would  be  to  me  worse  than  death, 
if  I  were  to  five  ;  it  seems  to  be  the  will  of  God  that  I 
should  die,  and  I  feel  willing  to  obey  it."  The  reader 
v/ill  excuse  me  in  dwelling  upon  the  last  words  and  last 
moments  of  a  much  beloved  and  much  respected  wife  j 
none  can  tell  the  anguish  v/hich  I  feel  on  this  subject.  * 
except  those  who  have  experienced  similar  afflictions. 

"  To  thee,  my  God,  and  Saviour,  I, 
"  By  day  and  night  address  my  cry, 
"  Vouchsafe  my  mournful  voice  to  hear, 
"  To  my  distress  incliiie  thine  ear,"  &c. 


30  MEMOIRS., 

I  was  left  with  three  small  children,  one  an  infant  at 
the  breast,  and  every  thing  appeared  melancholy  and 
gloomy  ;  even  in  my  public  and  private  devotions  I  was 
cast  down  ;  my  studies  were  dull  and  lifeless,  and  it 
seemed  as  if  the  face  of  all  goodness  was  hid  from  me. 
In  the  month  of  October,  I  went  on  a  visit  to  my  parents 
and  friends,  in  Branford.  I  generally  made  it  my 
business,  after  I  had  attended  the  Convention  in  the 
city  of  JVew-York,  every  year  to  go  to  Branford  and 
visit  my  fiiends,  and  to  preach  one  or  two  Sundays.  A 
wish  had  often  been  expressed  to  me  that  I  would  return 
and  settle  there,  but  until  now  I  never  gave  any  encour- 
agement. Overtures  were  soon  made,  and  I  delayed 
giving  an  answer  until  I  had  laid  the  case  before,  the 
church  in  Ballston,  and  also  before  the  Bishop  and  clergy 
of  New- York  and  of  Connecticut.  At  this  time  I  per- 
formed divine  service,  and  preached  for  a  few  Sundays 
in  the  church  in  the  city  of  Hartford  ;  and  was  applied 
to  for  terms  of  settlement  there,  but  refused  ^o  give  any 
encouragement  on  account  of  the  previous  application 
made  to  me  from  Branford,  and  also  because  my  peo- 
ple in  the  county  of  Saratoga  were  not  informed  of  my 
inclination  to  leave  them.  I  immediately  wrote  to  Bish- 
©p  Provoost,  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  who  was  soon  af- 
ter Bishop  Moore,  and  to  some  of  the  other  clergy, 
stating  to  them  my  intention  to  leave  that  state.  From 
the  said  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  I  received  the  following  letter, 
viz. 

To  the  Rev.  Smmi  Rogers,  Ballston. 

J\'ew-York,  October  23d,   1800. 
My  Dear  Sir, 

The  day  before  yesterday,  I  rec^eived  your  letter  by 
Mr.  Morgan,  and  must  confess,  that  I  am  not  a  little 
surprised  to  find  upon  perusing  the  contents,  that  ycii 
are  dehberating  about  leaving  Ballstcn,  I  have  hither- 
to been  of  opinion  that  your  labours  have  b^n  so  emi- 
nently successful  in  that  quarter  of  the  country,  your 
ministrations  so  acceptable  to  the  people,  and  your  sit- 
uation becoming  so  easy  and  comfortable,  with  respect 
to  temporal  emoluments  ;  from  all  these  considerations, 
I  imagined  that  nothing  could  induce  you   to  quit  the 


M£MO(RS.  « 

county  of  Saratoga.  You  ask  my  advice  on  the  occa- 
sion ;  it  is  impossible  for  me  or  any  other  brother  clergy- 
man, to  give  directions  or  to  offer  persuasions  on  so  del- 
icate a  subject.  You  will,  no  doubt,  deem  yourself 
obliged  to  exert  all  your  abilities  in  advancing  the  king- 
dom of  the  Redeemer  upon  earth  ;  you  will  earnestly 
seek  the  guidance  of  Him  who  is  infinitely  wise,  and 
you  will  follow  the  dictates  of  conscience.  Wherever 
you  may  think  proper  to  fix  yourself,  be  assured  you 
have  my  sincere  wishes  and  ardent  prayers,  for  your  tem- 
poral and  eternal  welfare. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 
BENJAMIN  MOORE. 
In   another   letter   from  the  same  Bishop   Moore,  dated 

New- York,  December  2d,  1800,  he  says  to  me, — 
Dear  Sir, 

I  must  confess,  it  is  not  with  a  little  uneasiness  and 
disappointment,  that  I  hear  of  your  intention  to  leave 
this  state  and  settle  in  Connecticut.  I  have  always  con- 
sidered you  as  one  of  our  most  useful  and  active  clergy- 
men; and  although  I  know  you  will  be  equally  zealous 
and  industrious  wherever  you  may  fix  yourself,  still  it 
would  be  a  satisfaction  to  retain  a  more  immediate  con- 
nection with  you  as  members  of  the  same  Convention . 
*  *  *  *  Great  changes  in  our  Ecclesiastical  affairs 
will  ere  long  take  place;  whatever  my  situation  may  be, 
you  will  be  remembered  with  sentiments  of  esteem  and 
affection  by  your  friend, 

BENJAMIN  MOORE 

At  about  the  same  time  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bissett  and  oth- 
er clergymen  of  the  state  of  New-York,  wrote  to  me  the 
most  dattering  letters,  and  offered  the  most  persuasive 
inducements  for  me  not  to  leave  that  State;  and  would 
to  God  I  had  listened  to  their  advice;  but  shew  me  a 
man  or  woman  who  never  errs,  and  I  will  shew  you  one 
who  never  dies  ! 

I  »ad  preached  with  approbation  in  all  the  Episcopal 
churcUesin  the  city  of  New-York/ occasionally  for  ten 
years-,  had  been  constantly  a  member  of  the  convention 
of  the  church;  for   three  years,  was  a  member  of  the 


32  MEMOIRS. 

general  convention  of  the  Episcopal  charch  in  the  Uni- 
ted States:  was  frequently  on  some  of  the  most  impor- 
tant committees  of  the  church.  I  had  been  duly  appoint- 
ed and  constituted  one  of  the  first  members  of  the  cor- 
poration of  Union  College,  in  the  city  of  Schenectady. 
constantly  attended  their  meetings,  and  e.xerted  myself 
for  the  prosperity  of  that  institution.  I  had  been  initi;; 
ted  into  the  mysteries  of  Freemasonry,  in  that  state, 
and  passed  through  the  several  degrees  of  Entered  Ap- 
prentice, Fellow  Craft,  Master,  Mark  Master,  Past 
Master,  Most  Excellent  Master,  and  Royal  Arch.  1 
obtained  the  Mediterranean  Pass,  was  dubbed  a  Knight 
of  the  Red  Cross  became  a  Knight  of  Malta,  and  was 
admitted  into  the  encampment  of  Sir  Knight  Templars. 
When  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  was 
first  organized,  I,  though  at  that  time  absent,  was  elec- 
ted and  appointed  the  first  Grand  Chaplain  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  in  the  state  of  New- York. 
I  had  preached  with  approbation  in  all  the  principal  cit- 
ies and  towns  in  the  northern  and  eastern  states,  viz. 
Philadelphia,  Newark,  N.  J.  New- York,  Albany  and 
Schenectady;  in  Hartford,  Boston  and  Providence,  and 
in  many  other  towns  and  places;  but  the  time  was  come 
when  I  was  determined  to  leave  the  county  of  Saratoga. 
I  went  there  in  the  year  1  791,  it  was  now  1801 ;  my  par- 
ishes had  become  very  extensive,  and  my  labors  ardu- 
ous and  fatiguing:  and  after  the  death  of  my  wife,  imy 
house  was  lonesome,  gloomy  and  desolate.  My  children 
were  removed  where  they  could  be  taken  care  of,  and  I 
was  afflicted. — TJihe  Episcopal  church  in  Branford  was 
vacant,  the  parish  was  perfectly  unanimous  and  ardent 
in  their  wishes  for  me  to  return,  and  become  their  minis- 
ter; my  parents  were  then  living  there,  my  brothers  and 
sister,  and  numerous  family  connections  were  residing  in 
that  town;  and  the  Episcopal  church  was  not  so  gener- 
ally known  and  understood  as  I  wished.  At  length  I  in- 
formed them  that  I  was  determined  to  leave  the  county 
of  Saratoga.  A  meeting  was  called  in  Branford,  East- 
Haven,  and  Northford,  and  I  was  unanimously  chosen 
Rector  of  their  churcnes,  which  was  communicated  to 
the  Rev  Mr.  Jarvis,  my  foi'mer  antagonist,  who  had  now 


MEMOIRS.  33 

lecome  Bishop  of  tho  Episcopa[  church  in  Connecticut. 
Their  choice  was  approved  of  by  him  accordinor  to  the 
ranon?,  and  ?ent  to  me  in  Ballston  which  I  laid  before 
the  church  in  that  place,  and  requested  a  dismissioi 
from  them.  Silence,  as  if  it  had  been  the  silence  of 
death,  prevailed,  and  not  an  eye  which  did  not  slied  a 
tear.  I  was  the  iirsf  minister  they  ever  had,  most  of  them 
and  their  children  had  been  baptized  by  me:  they  had 
been  faithfully  instructed  in  the  iaith  and  practice  of  the 
gospel,  and  in  the.  concerns  of  their  souls,  and  of  eternity. 
Thev  had  been  by  me  presented  to  the  Bishop,  and 
received  the  apostolic  rite  of  confirmation.  They  had 
by  me  been  admitted  to  the  holy  communion  of  the  Lord's 
Supper;  I  had  visited  them  in  sickness,  instructed  them 
when  they  were  ignorant,  comforted  them  in  afiiiction, 
committed  the  dead  bodies  of  their  friends  and  relatives, 
their  parents  and  children,  their  husbands  or  wives,  their 
brothers  or  sisters  to  the  awful  and  silent  gwive,  looking 
for  the  general  resurrection  and  the  life  of  the  world  to 
come,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  had  alwayr- 
been  as  ready  to  mourn  with  those  who  mourned  as  I 
waste  rejoice  with  those  who  did  rejoice;  for  ten  years 
the  sun  had  never  risen  upon  a  happier  or  more  united 
minister  and  people;  what  I  said  was  not  only  the  voice 
of  a  minister,  who  had  a  tender  regard  for  their  souls,  but 
of  a  friend  who  loved  them  sincerely.  My  congrega- 
tions w^ere  very  large  and  when  I  went  into  the  pulpit,  I 
had  the  satisfaction  to  think  that  there  was  not  a  person 
present,  who  would  not  willingly  share  their  last  loaf  with 
me.  After  along  time  of  silence,  old  Mr.  Bettys,  the 
senior  w-arden,  with  a  heart  ready  to  break,  his  eyes  gu.sh- 
ing  out  with  tears,  and  with  a  faltering  voice,  rose  and 
said,  Mr.  Rogers  why  do  you  wish  to  leave  us?  Ther? 
is  not  a  poraon  in  any  of  your  parisllfes  who  would  not 
gladly  carry  you  in  his  arms,  if  it  were  necessary;  we 
all  respect  you,  and  have  always  been  glad  to  do  every 
thing  in  our  power  for  your  comfort.  The  death  of  your 
excellent  wife,  we  all  mourn,  but  it  could  not  be  preven- 
ted. Is  it  any  thing  which  we  have  done,  or  which  we 
have  left  undone,  that  induces  you  to  wish  to  leave  usr 
I  replied  that  it  was  not:  but  that  I  was  in  affliclion,  and 


:4  MEMOIR?. 

wished  to  return  to  my  parents  and  to  tlie  place  of  my 
nativity;  that  I  thoufjht  the  religious  situation  of 
Connecticut  was  ?uch,  as  offered  an  opportunity  of  doing 
inuch  i^ood,  and  that  I  would  endeavour  not  to  leave 
ihem  destitute  of  a  minister,  but  would  obtain  some  wor- 
riiv  person  to  take  my  place  with  tliem;  that  I  had  lived 
to  see  every  Presbyterian  Minister  dismissed  from  that 
county,  while  I  had  been  there,  viz  Mr,  Schenk,  from 
Ballston,  j\fr.  Ripley,  from  Ballston,  eastline,  Mr.  Sill, 
from  Milton,  3Tr.  Sturges,  from  Charlton,  IMr.  Linsly, 
from  Gahvay,  Mr.  Close,  from  Waterford,  Mr.  Camp- 
i)el!,  from  Stillwater,  Mr.  Condict,  from  Stillwater  hill, 
Mr.  Smith,  from  Saratoga,  ice.  That  the  Episcopal 
church  in  that  county  had  increased  far  beyond  any  ex- 
ample in  that  state;  that  they  had  within  a  few  years, 
Duilt  four  new  and  elegant  houses  for  public  worship; 
that  in  some  places  the  meeting  houses  were  used  for 
places  of  public  worship  for  Episcopalians;  that  from 
14  families  they  had  increased  to  about  4000  souls,  and 
were  now  in  a  situation  to  settle  ministers  among  them, 
and  I  thought  I  could  do  more  good,  and  it  would  be 
more  for  my  comfort  to  return  to  Connecticut,  and  now 
wished  to  be  dismissed.  Judge  Walton,  and  others 
spoke  against  it,  but  in  very  affectionate  terms,  and  the 
meeting  was  dismissed  without  so  much  as  one  voice  or 
vote  in  favor  of  my  request,  and  it  was  the  only  request 
which  I  had  ever  made  of  them  which  was  not  granted. 
In  the  month  of  February,  1801,  I  called  a  meeting 
of  all  the  wardens  and  the  vestrymen  of  all  the  Episco- 
pal churches  in  the  county  of  Saratoga,  and  in  the  nor- 
thern part  of  the  state  of  New-York,  and  invited  the 
neighboring  ministers  to  attend.  At  this  meeting  I  laid 
before  them  an  application  made  to  the  Episcopal  chur- 
ches in  Ballston  and  Milton,  for  my  dismission,  that  I 
might  settle  in  Branford;  also  the  vote  for  the  settlement 
of  me  in  that  place,  with  the  Bishop's  consent;  and 
stated  my  request,  that  if  I  had  been  to  them  a  faithful 
minister,  and  had  deserved  well  from  them,  they  would 
no  longer  object  to  my  happiness,  in  not  granting  me  a 
dismission .  And  I  then  engaged,  that  if  they  would 
grant  my  request,    I  would    not  leave  them,  until  I  had 


MEMOIRS.  35 

obtained  some  one  to  take  iny  place;  and  that  an  an- 
swer was  due  from  them  to  the  church  in  Branford. 
Whereupon  Judge  Walton  drew  up  the  following  reso- 
lution, which  was  passed,  and  given  to  me,  and  also  a 
copy  was  sent  by  mail  to  the  church  in  Branford,  viz. 

^'M  a  meeting  (fihe Rectors,  ChurchWardcns  and  Ves- 
trymen of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
s'aie  of  JVerti-Yorli,  by  adjournment,  held  in  the  church  in 
BaUston,  February  3d,  1801. 

•Whereas  application  has  been  made  to  the  church 
wardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  Episcopal  churches  of 
Ballston  and  Milton,  from  the  Episcopal  society  of  Bran- 
ford, in  Connecticut,  requesting  that  they  would  permit 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Rogers  to  leave  the  said  churches,  of  which 
he  is  nov/  the  Rector,  that  he  might  settle  in  Branford, 
the  place  of  his  nativity.  And  whereas,  the  said  church 
wardens  and  vestrymen  having  taken  the  subject  into 
serious  consideration,  think  tiiat  the  removal  of  Mr.  Ro- 
gers from  their  churches,  would  be  attended  with  very 
great  inconveniences  to  the  same,  particularly,  as  it  is 
much  to  be  feared  that  another  clergyman  cannot  be  ob- 
tained, who  could  unite  the  affections  and  the  respect 
of  the  said  congregations,  in  an  equal  degree  with  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Rogers.  They  cannot  reflect  on  the  depar- 
ture of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rogers  from  among  them  without 
sincere  sorrow,  as  they  can  scarcely  hope  to  find  a  per- 
son endued  with  sufficient  activity,  to  support  the  chur- 
ches which  have  been  established  by  the  unremitted  ex- 
ertions of  their  present  Rector,  nor  can  they  expect  to 
meet  with  a  man  who  can  so  well  resist  the  constant  op- 
position which  is  made  against  the  blessed  Episcopal 
church.  But  as  the  change  of  situation  may  be  condu- 
cive to  the  Rappiness  and  welfare  of  Mr.  Rogers,  and 
as  it  would  be  improper  and  unbecoming,  in  the  highest 
degree,  to  obstruct  the  wishes  of  a  Rector,  v.ho  has  so 
well  deserved  from  the  said  congregations — 

Therefore  resolved.  That  in  case  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rr- 
gers  should  deem  it  expedient  to  leave  the  said  churches, 
he  has  (though  reluctantly,)  the  approbation  of  the  said 
churchwardens  and  vestrymer.;  but  in  case  ho  can  re- 
main with    the  said  churches,    without  doing    too  greui. 


36  MEMOIRS. 

injury  to  his  interest  and  happiness,  they  would  gladly 
alTord  Iiini  every  countenance  and  support,  which  they 
have  hitherto  given  him. 

HENRY  WALTON,   Secretary. 

Resolved^  Thai  Henry  Walton  be  a  committee  to  trans- 
mit a  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolution,  to  the  Episcopal 
society  in  Branford,  in  answer  to  the  application  refer- 
red to  in  said  resolution. 

HENRY  WALTON,  SecreUmj. 

I  remained  in  Ballston,  and  preached  in  my  panshea 
as  usual,  until  Whit-Sunday,  June  24th,  1801  ;  when  I 
administered  the  sacrament,  preached  a  farewell  sermon, 
and  as  their  minister  bid  them  an  affectionate  adieu.  I 
had  then  during  the  time  of  my  ministry,  administered 
1542  baptisms  ;  the  name  and  age  of  each  had  been  re- 
turned to  the  bishop  of  New- York,  at  the  annual  con- 
vention ;  and  are  on  the  records  of  the  church  in  Balls- 
ton.  I  had  admitted  more  than  400  persons  in  the  coun- 
ty of  Saratoga,  to  the  holy  communion,  besides  those  in 
other  places.  I  had  joined  more  than  200  persons  in 
marriage,  and  had  in  the  whole,  attended  more  than  one 
hundred  funerals.  I  had  been  to  bishop  Jar  vis  in  per- 
son, and  stated  my  intention  of  coming  into  that  state, 
and  settling  there.  I  had  been  to  Bishop  Provoost,  and 
obtained  letters  permissory  for  Bishop  Jarvis  to  ordain 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Thatcher,  for  the  purpose  of  coming  to 
Ballston,  that  I  might  settle  in  Branford.  This  was 
known  and  understood  to  be  the  agreement,  and  for  this 
purpose  Mr.  Thatcher  was  ordained  a  priest  by  bishop 
Jarvis,  moved  into  my  house,  and  on  my  farm,  and  took 
possession  of  my  parishes,  and  then,  and  not  till  then, 
I  set  off  for  Branford.  On  my  way  to  New- York  I  was 
obstructed  by  contrary  winds,  and  went  on  shore  at  Cat:.- 
kill,  where  I  staid  ten  days,  performed  divine  service 
and  preached  there  almost  every  day,  sometimes  twice 
i.nd  three  times  in  a  day,  and  gathered  a  large  congre- 
ation.  I  afterwards  returned  and  assisted  them  in  be- 
oming  a  body  corporate,  which  has  remained  and  pros- 
Bred  there  to  this  day.     A  very   handsome  salary   was 


MEMOIRS.  37 

otToied  me  to  stay  and  settle  there  ;  and  application  was 
made  by  them  to  the  church  in  Branford,  for  that   pur- 
pose but  was  rejected.  ,    .      t»      r    j 
In  the  month  of  August  1801,  I  arrived   in   Branford, 
and  took  charj^e  of  the  church  in  that  place,  in  East  Ha- 
ven, in  Norlhford,  and  in  Wallingford,  without  a  dissent- 
ing'voice  or  vote— all   were    pleased,   all  were  happy. 
The  congregations  immediately  arose  into  life,  and  were 
<rreatly  increased  ;  many  within  a   short   time,   in  each 
parish,  became  impressed  with  a  deep  sense   of  the   im- 
portance of  religion  and  joined  the  communion.     Many, 
who  had  hitherto  neglected  it,  furnished  themselves   and 
their  families  with  books  of  Common  Prayer,  and  joined 
heartily  and  devoutly. in  the  worship  of  God,  as  perform- 
ed in  the  Episcopal  church  :  many,  who  had  never  done 
!t  before,  now  signed  off  from  the  Presbyterians,  so   cal- 
led, and  paid  their  taxes  to  the   Episcopal  church  ;  and 
the  prospect  of  pietv,  of  increase,  and  of  prosperity,  was 
never  fairer.     I  appeal  to  every  person,   who  then   be- 
longed to  these  parishes,  for  the   truth   of  what   I   say  : 
but°at  this  time  party  politics  and  party  religion  ran  very 
high  in  Connecticut. 

1  was  a  Republican  in  principle,  and  totally    opposed 
to  the  blue  laws  and  persecuting  spirit  of  that  state. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
COJVVEJS-TIONLYTHE  CITY  OF  HARTFORD. 

At  a  Convention  held  in  the  City  of 
Hartford  and  State  of  Connecticut  ;  1 
arose  and  said: 

Mr.  President — For  many  years  I  have 
thought,  that  to  estabUsh  religion  by  force  of 
civil  law,  as  it  is  here  in  Connecticut,  was  not 
conducive  to  genuine  piety  and  to  the  real 
prosperity  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  here 


MEMOIRS. 


on  earth.  It  is  in  my  opinion,  wrong, 'essen- 
tially wrong,  to  compel  people  by  force  of  law, 
10  support  that  which  they  clo  not  believe  to 
he  true  5  and  civil  or  military  force,  exercised 
in  matters  of  religion,  has  always  eventuated 
!ii  the  oppression,  hi  the  distress,  and  in  the 
viestruction  of  mankind.  In  proof,  shall  I  call 
to  yom'  view  tlie  first  crusade  under  Peter  the 
Hermit.  Do  I  see  one  million  one  hundred 
thousand  of  the  human  race  cruelly  murdered 
:md  slain,  at  one  time  on  account  of  Religion. 
The  history  of  the  whole  church  evinces  the 
truth  of  what  I  say.  What  was  it,  I  beseech 
you,  but  a  union  of  church  and  state  5  that  is, 
investing  the  church  with  civil  power,  support- 
ed by  a  military  force,  as  it  is  here  in  Con- 
necticut, that  introduced  and  established  Po- 
pery in  Europe,  Mahometanism  in  Asia,  and 
something,  I  am  sorry  and  ashamed  to  say  it, 
almost  as  bad  here  in  New- England.  A 
union  of  church  and  state  is  like  uniting  fire 
andw^ater.  Heaven  and  earth,  God  and  mam- 
mon. It  is  this  which  has  established  the  in- 
quisition among  the  Roman  Catholics  in 
Spain,  and  elsewhere.  It  is  this  which  has 
caused  so  much  oppression  iiud  distress  in 
England,  Ireland,  and  Scotlaiid.  It  was 
this  which  murdered  the  witclies  or  Cluakers, 
in  Sal  m,  in  Massachusetts  :  tied  Roger 
Williams,  and  his  friends,  to  the  tnil  ends  of 
ox  carts,  and  wliipped  tliem  and  tlie  Eap- 
lists,  out  of  Boston.     It  was  this  which   has 


MEMOIRS.  39. 

lined  and  imprisoned  hundreds  of  our  fellow 
citizens  in  Connecticut,  because  they  would 
not,  or  could  not  in  conscience,  pay  money  to 
support  that  which  they  did  not  beheve  to  be 
true  ;  and  now,  Sir,  at  this  very  time,  no  one 
can  be  an  Episcopahan,  or  Baptist,  or  Metho- 
dist, or  Quaker  in  Connecticut,  unless  he  will 
go  to  the  dominant  party,  and  virtually  put 
off  his  hat,  make  a  bow,  and  humbly  ask 
them  to  take  a  certificate,  and  permit  him  to 
become  a  conscientious  dissenter,  otherwise  he 
must  be  taxed  by  them.     I  therefore  move, 

That  the  Bishop  and  Clergy,  and  all  the  members  of 
the  Episcopal  chiu'ch  in  Connecticut,  unite  with  the  repub- 
licans ;  do  away  these  offensive  laivs,  and  give  to  all  de- 
nominations  equal  rights  and  privileges. 

At  this  the  whole  congregational,  federal,  presbyteri- 
an  party  in  Connecticut,  raised  a  hue  and  cry  !  that  I 
was  a  Democrat  !  and  was  going  to  break  up  the  whole 
religious  csta  'Hshment  of  that  state  ;  bishop  Jarvis  and 
some  of  thi  lergy  were  also  very  much  displeased  at 
me  on  this  i'.ci>  imt,  and  this  has  been  the  cause  of  per- 
secution, of  .dIc.  ider  and  abuse,  of  civil  prosecution,  of 
distress,  of  in!!>risonment,  of  disgrace,  and  ruin  to  my- 
self, to  my  children  and  friends. 

In  the  first  place,  I  was  refused  a  seat  in  the  conven- 
tion of  the  Episcopal  church  in  Connecticut,  without 
hearing  or  trial,  and  actually  without  my  knowledge,  on 
the  ground  that  I  did  not  belong  to  that  state  ;  which  if 
true,  was  directly  contrary  to  the  canons  of  the  church, 
for  if  a  clergyman  belonging  to  one  state  conducts  dis- 
orderly in  another  he  must  be  referred  back  to  the  state 
to  which  he  belongs  for  trial.  To  the  next  Freeman's 
meeting.  Bishop  Jarvis,  at  the  age  of  about  70  years, 
forgetting  his  station,  the  honour  of  the  church,  and  the 
good  of  religion,  went,  took  the  freeman's  oath,  joined 
the  federal  presbyterian  party,  and  voted  against  Col. 
Kirby,  and  all  others  of  his  own  communion  if  they  hap- 


40  BIEM0IR3. 

pened  to  be  on  the  republican  interest.*  At  this  I  felt 
myself  and  the  church  insulted  and  abused,  and  thought 
it  my  duty  to  attend  to  my  own  parishes,  and  have  but 
little  to  do  with  any  thing  else.  The  churches  in  my 
care  prospered  exceedingly.  Their  house  of  worship 
in  Branford  was  completely  repaired  and  finished.  The 
t  church  in  East-Haven  was  also  repaired  and  finished. 
I  The  church  in  Northford,  which  had  remained  ever  since 
'  before  the  revolutionary  war  in  a  state  of  decay,  was 
now  repaired  and  finished.  The  church  in  Wallingford, 
at  this  time,  sent  to  Boston  and  purchased  an  excellent 
organ.  In  Durham,  where  the  service  of  the  church 
had  never  been  performed  until  I  went  there,  about  80 
of  the  taxable  inhabitants  certificated  and  joined  the 
Episcopal  church  under  my  care  ;  they  had  procured 
books  of  common  prayer,  and  performed  the  service  re- 
markably well,  and  almost  every  one  voted  on  the  repub- 
lican interest.  But  this  prosperity  only  excited  jealousy 
and  opposition  in  the  minds  of  those  who  ought  to  have 
befriended  me.  Bishop  Jarvis  visited  them,  and  without 
their  knowledge,  placed  the  Rev.  Mr.  Merriam  there, 
as  their  officiating  minister,  whereby  I  was  precludec 
preaching  there  without  his  consent.  No  sooner  wa? 
this  known,  than  a  meeting  was  called  and  he  was  dis- 
missed. During  this  time,  means  were  used  to  divide 
my  parishes,  by  exciting  distrust  and  opposition  in  th«' 
minds  of  my  hearers,  and  by  giving  the  presbyterian  fed- 
eral party  to  understand  that  I  was  not  in  good  standing. 
I  and  my  people  claimed  that  I  was  in  good  standing  ; 
and  that  the  opposition  to  me  was  an  infringement  upon 
the  established  order  of  the  church,  and  that  it  was  oc- 
casioned by  presbytei'ian  federal  politics.  A  petition 
from  the  church  in  Branford,  in  East-Haven,  in  North- 
ford,  in  Wallingford,  and  in  Durham,  was  presented  to 
the  convention  of  the  Episcopal  church  of  Connecticut 
convened  in  Danbury,  in  June,  1303;  and  anotlier  pe- 
tition signed  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mansfield  of  .Derby,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Tyler  of  Norwich,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blakeslee 
of  East-Hadam,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Todd  of  Huntington,  tile 

*  I  consider  Congregational  Presbyteriauigm  aii.l  Federalism  to  be  ttie 
iame  in  Connecticut.  Federalism,  according  to  the  present  acceptation  o^ 
^.be  term  is  Aristocracy,  and  Repnblicaniam  is  Democracy. 


BfEMOIRS  41 

Rev.  Mr.  Miles  of  Chatham,  and  the  iRet>.  Mr,  Warren 
of  Middletown,  Stc.  was  presented  to  the  same  conven- 
tion, in  which  they  also  stated  their  iuiowledge  of  me, 
of  my  character  and  standing  in  the  church,  of  the  un- 
ion and  uncommon  prosperity  of  the  churches  in  my 
care  ;  and  prayed  the  bishop  and  clergy  to  be  reconciled 
to  me,  or  to  bring  forward  their  accusations,  if  any  they 
had.  In  answer  to  which,  the  bishop  arose,  and  stand- 
ing within  the  rails  of  the  alter,  and  near  the  communion 
table,  in  the  church  in  Danbury,  and  sis  president  of  the 
convention  in  1803,  declared  and  said, 

"  We  ^meaning  the  bishop  and  clergy)  have  nothins: 
against  Mr.  Ro2;ers,  ice  acknowledge  his  character  and  his 
authority  to  be  good,  and  on  receiving  a  single  line  from  the 
Bishop  oj  JVezf-  Fort,  we  would  receive  him  tvith  open 
anns.'^  The  whole  controversy  is  now  brought  to  a  sin- 
gle point,  and  that  a  mere  matter  of  civility  or  etiquette, 
a  single  line  from  the  Bishop  of  J^ew-York.  See  the 
proof. 

I,  Samuel  J.  Andrews,  of  Derby,  in  the  county  of 
New-Haven,  and  state  of  Connecticut,  of  lawful  age, 
do  testify  and  say,  that  I  was  at  the  convention  of  the 
Bishop,  Clergy  and  Laity  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
holden  at  Danbury  in  June  last  ;  that  in  said  convention 
I  heard  the  Bishop,  while  acting  as  president  of  the 
same,  declare  that  we,  meaning  the  bishop  and  clergy, 
have  nothing  against  Mr.  Rogers  ;  we  acknowledge  his 
authority  and  character  to  be  good  ;  and  that  on  receiv- 
ing a  single  line  from  the  bishop  of  New-York,  we  woula 
receive  him  with  open  arms,  or  words  to  that  effect. 
Further  saith  not. 

SAMUEL  J.  ANDREWS. 
JVeio-Haven  County,  ss.  Derby y  Jan.  5th,  1804  . 

Personally  appeared  Samuel  J.  Andrews,  who  hath 
subscribed  the  foregoing  affidavit,  and  made  solemn  oath 
that  the  same  contains  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and 
nothing  but  the  truth,  as  relative  to  the  subject  mattei 
thereof.     Before  me, 

JosiAH  Dudley,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
I  hereby  certify,  that  I  was  a  delegate  in  the  conven- 
tion holden  in  Danbury,  in  June,  J803,  acd  ttm   persoii 
A.* 


42  MEMOIRS. 

ally  knowing  that  the  facts  stated  in  the  foregoing  affi- 
davit of  Samuel  J.  Andrews,  are  correct  and  true. 

JosiAH  Dudley. 
The  Rev  Doctor  Mansfield  of  Derby,  made  solemn 
oath  before  John  Humphrey  Esq.  and  testified  that  he 
was  present,  and  heard  the  same  words. 

Here  is  a  public  and  official  assurance  given  by  Bish- 
op Jarvis,  in   behalf  of   himself   and   clergy,    given  as 
president  of  the  convention  of  the   state,    and   solemnly 
given  at  the  communion  table,  that  my  authority  and  my 
character  were  good,  that  they  had  nothing  against  me, 
and  a  solemn  pledge,  that  on  receiving  a  single  line  from 
the  Bishop  of  New- York,    (my  republicanism   to   the 
contrary  notwithstanding)  he  would  receive  me  into   the 
convention  with  open  arms;  but  it  is  supposed  that  hshad 
sent  to  his  good  friend.  Dr.  Beach,  to  prevent  that  Hne. 
This  requirement  was  a  total  departure    from  the    estab- 
lished order  of  the  Episcopal  church — it   was   what,    at 
that  time,  had  never  been  required  from  any  other  cler- 
gyman.    Letters  of  Orders,  which  I  had,   were   al- 
ways sufficient  vouchers  of  a  clergyman's  character  and 
standing,  until  he  had   been    regularly    impeached   and 
tried  ;  but  here  was  nothing  to  be  tried   for.     My  char- 
acter and  my  authority  were  good,  and  there  was  nothing 
against  me.     I  was  not  a  stranger  ;  I  was  settled  by  the 
unanimous  vote  of  the  parishes  in  the  towns  and   neigh- 
bourhood where  I  was  born  and  brought  up,  and    where 
I  had  been  recommended  to  be   ordained   at  first.     But 
unreasonable,  unconstitutional,  and  uncanonical  as  the 
demand  was,  for  peace  sake,  my  friends  were  determined 
to  comply  with  it  ;  and  accordingly  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mans- 
field and  the  Rev.  Ambrose  Todd  wrote   to   the    Bishop 
of  New-York,  and  received  from  him  the   following  line 
viz. 

Tn  the  Rev.  Richard  Mansfield,  D.  J).  Derby,  Conn. 
New- York,  June  13th,  1803. 
Rev.  Sir — 

In  compliance  with  the  request  contained  in  a  letter 
which  I  lately  received  from  you  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Todd, 
I  have  to  observe,  that  during  the  residence  of  Mr.  Ro- 
gers in  the  state  of  New- York,  this  diocess  was   under 


MEMOIRS.  43 

the  direction  of  my  predecessor,   Dr.    Provoost — that   I 

never  heard  Bishop  Provoost  express  anij  sentiment  of  dis- 
approbation with  regard  to  Mr.  Rogers  ;  nor  ivas  there  at 
any  time,  or  on  any  occasion,  a  complaint  brought  up 
against  him  before  the  convention  of  the  church  in  this  state. 
With  great  respect,  I  remain.  Rev.  Sir,  your  faithful 
friend  and  servant, 

Benja3iin  Moore. 
This  line  was  presented  to  Bishop  Jarvis  in  New-Ha- 
ven, by  me,  in  presence  of  a  committee  of  the  church 
in  Branford,  East-Haven,  Northford,  Wallingford,  and 
Durham,  and  was  by  him,  (his  pubHc  and  official  prom- 
ise to  the  contrary  notwithstanding)  rejected — he  said, 
on  the  ground  that  there  was  no  communication  from  the 
standing  committee  of  the  church  in  that  state  ;  but  it 
was  really  because  I  was  a  republican  ;  I  was  opposed 
to  a  union  of  church  and  state.  I  was  now  determined 
to  meet  him  on  his  own  ground,  and  for  that  purpose, 
went  into  the  state  of  New-York,  and  obtained  the  fol- 
lowing certificate  from  the  standing  committee  of  the 
church  there  viz. 

To  the  Right  Rev.  the  Bishop  and    Clergy  of  the  Dio 
cess  of  Connecticut,  or  any  other  xchom  it  may  concern. 

This  may  certifiy,  that  the    Rev.   Ammi   Rogers   was 
considered  as  a  regular  ordained  minister  of  the   protes- 
tant  Episcopal  church,  in  the  state    of  New- York,  and 
that  he  was  constantly  a  member  of  the   Convention    of 
this  state  during  his  residence  here,  and  in  good   stand- 
ing, and  that   no    complaint   was   at  any   time  brought 
against  him.     Dated  Sept.  27,  1803. 
Signed  by 
Theodosius  Bartow,  Elias  Cooper,  JohiX'  Charlto.v, 
Matthew  Clarksox,  William  Ogden,  Richard  Har- 
RWON, — members  of  the  staiidiiig   committee  of  the  P.  E. 
Church  in  the  state  of  JS'eu'-  York. 

The  foregoing  line  from  the  Bishop  of  New-York, 
and  the  foregoing  certificate  from  the  standing  commit- 
tee of  the  church  in  that  state,  were  presented  to  Bish- 
op .farvis  in  Derby,  by  Josiah  Dudley,  Esq.  who  was  a 
member  of  the  convention  in  the  state  of  Connecticut, 
and  were  by  Bishop  Jarv*^,  rejected,  on  the    pretended 


41  MEMOIRS. 

ground  that  the  Ihie  from  the  Bishop  of  New- York,  was 
not  official.  I  then  went  again  to  New- York,  and  ob- 
tained the  following  official  line  from  the  Bishop  of  New- 
York. 

"'  To  the  Right  Rev.  JlbraJiam  Jarvis,  D.  D.  Bishop  of 
the  ProtestaJit  Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  Connecti- 
cut. 

'•  I  do  hereby  certify,  that  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers 
left  the  state  of  New- York  before  my  consecration  to 
the  office  of  a  bishop,  and  consequently  was  never  pla- 
ced under  my  jurisdiction  ;  that  during  the  time  of  his 
residence  in  this  diocess,  he  constantly  attended  the  con- 
ventions of  the  church,  and  that  in  those  conventions  no 
complaint  was  ever  preferred  against  him,  nor  did  he  at 
any  time  or  on  any  occasion  fall  under  the  censure  of  the 
ecclesiastical  authority. 

Benjamin  Moore,  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  in  the  state  of  New-York. 

January  17i/i,   1804. 

The  foregoing  official  line  was  presented  U  Bishop 
Jarvis  by  Capt.  Nathaniel  Webb  of  Stamford;  and  what 
could  he  require  more?  his  word  and  honor  as  bishop, 
and  as  president  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Connecti- 
cut were  pledged:  the  honor  of  the  whole  church  in 
the  state  was  pledged,  but,  alas  I  he  now  throws  off  the 
mask — he  breaks  through  all  former  engagements,  and" 
declares,  "  that  a  man  icho  ivill  make  religion  not  onbj 
the  servant,  but  the  very  scullion  of  a  polilical  faction, 
(meaning  the  republicans),  tvho  are  endeavoring  to  root 
all  religion  and  authority  out  of  the  state,  I  am  determined 
to  have  nothing  to  do  wilh.''^ 

On  the  very  next  week  after  Bishop  Jarvis  received 
the  foregoing  hne  from  the  Bishop  of  New-York,  be 
got  some  of  the  clergy,  Avho  were  of  his  party,  together 
in  Litchfield,  and  in  the  dead  of  the  night,  without  graiit- 
mg  a  hearing  or  trial,  and  actually  without  my  knowl- 
edge, issued  and  published  a  paper,  forbidding  me  to 
preach  in  Connecticut.  Against  this  paper  I  issued  and 
published  a  solemn  protest,  and  declared  it  to  be  Avith- 
out  authority  and  of  no  force;  because  it  was  issued  with- 


MEMOIRS.  45 

out  the  previous  steps  required  by  the  authority  of  God's 
word,  and  the  constitution  and  canons  of  the  Episcopal 
church  to  which  I  belonged  ;  because  it  was  a  violation 
of  his  most  solemn  voius  of  office,  upon  the  condition  of 
which  he  was  ordained  and  made  a  bishop  ;  because  to 
issue  a  paper  against  any  man  without  hearing  or  trial, 
and  actually  without  his  knowledge,  was  a  violation  of 
all  civil  and  religious  compact,  was  disgraceful  to  his 
office,  was  cruel,  tyrannical,  and  oppressive  in  the  high- 
est degree — and  because  the  paper  issued  by  bishop  Jar- 
vis  against  me,  was  a  manifest  and  shameful  violation 
of  his  word,  &.  solemn  assurance  given  to  me,  and  to  my 
people,  and  to  the  world,  as  bishop  of  the  state,  and  as 
president  of  the  convention  of  the  church,  in  Danbury, 
in  1803.  On  the  same  grounds,  the  wardens  and  vestry, 
and  ninety-one  of  the  most  respectable  members  of  the 
church  in  Stamford,  issued  and  nublished  their  solemn 
protest  against  the  paper  of  Bishop  Jarvis  issued  against 
me,  and  declared  it  without  authority  and  void.  On  the 
same  grounds,  the  church  in  Branford,  in  East-Haven, 
in  Northford,  and  in  many  other  places  issued  and  pub- 
lished their  solemn  protest  against  the  said  paper  issued 
against  me,  and  declared  it  wholly  without  authority  and 
void,  and  could  the  Dey  of  Algiers,  or  the  king  of  Per- 
sia, or  the  inquisition  of  Spain  do  more  or  worse  than  to 
destroy  a  clergyman  without  hearing  or  trial,  and  in  vio- 
lation of  the  most  public  and  solemn  assurances. 

At  this  time,  I  had  removed  from   Branford   to    Stam- 
ford, and  had  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  that    parish,  be- 
come their  minister.     And  here  I  make  a  solemn  appeal 
to  the  conscience  of  every  person  who  had  lived    under 
my  ministry  in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  or  of  New-Yor 
have  I  not  diligently  read  and  expounded  the  holy  scr 
tures  of  the  old  and  new  testament,    as    opportunity 
fered  ?  have  I  not  endeavored  to  fashion    my    own 
and  others,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  Christ,    and 
make  myself  a  wholesome  example  to  his  flock  ?  hav 
not  always  reverently  obeyed  my  bishop   in   all   thi 
which  were  according  to    the   aiithorllxj   of    God''s    wo 
and  the  canons  of  the  church,  and  submitted  myself  to 
?:odly  judgment,  foundtd  on  the  same  ?  have  I  not  fait 


4b  ,  MEMOIRS. 

fully  endeavored  to  banish  and  drive  away  irom  the 
church  all  erroneous  and  strange  doctrines  which  were 
contrarj  to  God's  word  ?  have  I  not  been  diligent  in 
prayers,  in  reading  the  holy  Scriptures,  and  studying  the 
same,  and  in  administering  the  sacraments,  laying  aside 
the  study  of  the  v»'orid  and  of  tlie  flesh  ?  have  I  not  en- 
deavored to  set  forward  quietness,  peace,  and  love  among 
ail  christian  people,  and  especially  among  those  who 
were  committed  to'  my  charge  ?  and  were  your  congre- 
gations ever  larger,  were  the  people  ever  more  edified, 
were  your  parishes  ever  more  prosperous,  than  while  in 
ray  care  ?  and  where  is  the  person,  man  or  woman,  who 
will  say  that  to  them,  and  in  their  presence,  I  have  not 
conducted  like  a  gentleman  and  a  christian  ?  even  the 
false  witnesses  themselves,  on  whose  account  I  have 
sufl^cred  imprisonment,  and  the  loss  of  all  things,  have 
constantly  declared  my  innocence,  except  while  under 
the  influence  of  my  personal,  political,  and  religious  en- 
emies. 

"  O,  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  at  thy  first  coming  didst 
send  thy  messenger  to  prepare  thy  way  before  thee, 
grant  that  the  ministers  and  stewards  of  thy  holy  myste- 
ries, may  likewise  so  prepare  and  make  ready  thy  way, 
by  turning  the  hearts  of  the  disobedient  unto  the  wisdom 
of  the  just,  that  at  thy  second  coming  to  judge  the  world, 
we  may  be  found  acceptable  in  thy  sight  ;  and  grant  O 
merciful  father,  that  thy  people  may  both  perceive  and 
know  what  things  they  ought  to  do,  and  also  that  they 
may  have  grace  and  power  faithfully  to  fulfil  the 
same,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. — Amen  " 


CHAPTER  V. 

HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 

From  the  aforesaid  paper,  issued  and  published  agamst 
me  by  bishop  Jarvis,  I  appealed  to  the  House  of  Bish- 
ops of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United 
States,  assembled  in  the  city  of  New- York,  1804,  by 
way  of  petition,  and  after   stating  my  case,  prayed  them 


MEMOIRS.  47 

to  decide,  1st,  to  which  state  I  did  canonically  belong, 
2d,  that  a  paper  issued  and  published  by  Bishop  Jarvis, 
against  me,  without  hearing  or  trial,  and  wholly  without 
my  knowledge;  contrary  to  the  authority  of  God's  word 
and  the  established  order  of  the  Episcopal  church  ;  in- 
consistent with  his  most  solemn  vows  of  office,  and  in 
violation  of  his  word  and  honor,  publicly  pledged  as 
bishop,  and  as  president  of  the  convention  of  the  church 
in  Connecticut;  might  be  recalled;  and  3d,  that  if  any 
one  had  whereof  to  accuse  me,  I  might  be  served  with  a 
copy  of  all  and  every  charge,  together  with  the  proof, 
and  that  I  might  have  a  reasonable  time  to  prepare  and 
defend  myself — meaning  according  to  the  canons  of  the 
church  in  that  state  to  which  they  should  decide  I  be- 
longed. 

Bishop  Jarvis  was  a  member  of  this  House  of  Bish- 
ops, and  a  judge  in  his  own  case;  common  delicacy 
would  have  induced  him  to  withdraw,  but  he  did  not. 
The  clerical  delegates  from  Connecticut  were  admitted 
to  a  hearing,  and  I  was  called  in.  They  stated  that  I 
had  called  two  conventions  in  Connecticut;  one  in  Wal- 
lingford,  and  one  in  Branford,  and  that  I  had  invited 
some  ot  the  leading  democrats  in  Connecticut  to  attend, 
and  was  endeavoring  to  encourage  democracy  and  to  op- 
pose the  Bishop.  I  denied  that  I  had  ever  called  any 
convention  in  Connecticut,  other  than  a  meeting  of  the 
people  in  my  own  particular  care;  or  that  I  ever  had 
used  any  undue  influence  in  politics,  and  that  I  was  so 
far  from  opposing  the  Bishop,  that  I  had  for  the  peace 
of  the  church,  obtained  documents  from  New- York, 
such  as  had  never  been  required  from  any  other  clergy- 
man, such  as  he  was  not  anthorized  by  any  canon  of  the 
church  to  require,  and  such  as  the  Bishop  and  commit- 
tee of  New-York  were  not  authorized  to  give. 

They  then  brought  on  the  matter  respecting  Mr.  Per- 
ry's certificate,  see  page  29.  This  certificate  was  taken 
from  among  my  papers  in  Derby,  the  year  before,  with- 
out my  knowledge  or  consent,  and  now  they  denied 
that  there  ever  was  such  a  paper.  I  remonstrated 
against  any  trial,  except  in  the  state  to  which  I  did  be- 
and   according  to  the  canons.     I   remonstrate* 


43  MEMOIRS. 

against  calling  that  up  against  me  as  a  1'riest  which 
took  place  before  I  was  a  Deacon;  against  permitting  a 
matter  to  remain  12  or  14  years  which  was  censurable, 
and  then  after  my  witnesses  were  dead,  and  when  it  was 
impossible  to  bring  forward  any  living  testimony  to  bring 
It  up  against  me;  that  it  was  hard,  it  was  unjust;  besides 
tlie  matter  had  been  fully  inquired  into  in  the  time  of  it, 
by  Bishop  Provoost,  who  was  the  proper  authority,  and 
was  dismissed  by  him  as  unworthy  of  notice.  Bishop 
Jarvis  handed  to  the  delegates  who  were  present  from 
Connecticut,  a  number  of  papers.  /  requested  counsel 
and  ivas  refused — the  house  adjourned.  At  evening  I 
called  and  requested  to  see  some  of  the  papers  which 
were  handed  in  against  me  !  whereupon  they  "resolved 
that  nothing  shall  be  done  in  Uie  business  except  in  the  pres- 
ence of  both  parties.''^  I  then  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  Whi,te,  President  of  the  House  of 
Bishops  in  New-York,  in  Sept.  1804,  and  objected  to 
any  decision  or  determination  of  the  said  House  of  Bish- 
ops relative  to  me,  any  farther  forth  than  as  it  respected 
the  diocess  to  which  I  did  canonically  belong,  that  I 
might  meet  the  charges,  if  any  there  were,  according  to 
the  constitution  and  canons  of  the  church;  and  then  im- 
mediately left  the  city  and  state  of  New- York.  After  I 
Avas  gone,  and  token  both  parties  were  not  present,  they 
formed  and  published  an  opinion  founded  on  falsehood 
and  misrepresentation,  relative  to  that  certificate  and  my 
conduct  in  Connecticut,  which  was  represented  as  high- 
ly dishonorable;  but  at  the  same  time  decided  on  the 
first  point,  that  I  was  a  clergyman  not  of  New-York  but 
of  Connecticut,  and  that  it  was  to  them  that  I  was  ex- 
clvisively  amenable.  On  the  2d  point,  as  astonishing  as 
it  may  seem,  they  approved  of  the  conduct  of  Bishop 
Jarvis  in  Connecticut,  i.  e.  /  suppose  he  approved  of  his 
own  doings.  On  the  3d  point,  they  directed  documents 
to  be  furnished  to  both  parties,  as  a  ground  of  trial  in 
Connecticut. 

The  very  next  month  I  sent  in  my  petition  to  the  bish- 
op and  clergy  of  Connecticut,  praying  for  a  trial  accor- 
ding to  the  canons  of  the  church,  on  what  they  had  al- 
ledged  against  me  in  New-York:   and  at  tht  same  time  I 


BEMOIRS.  O 

sent  in  articles  ofcomplamt  on  the  uncanonical,  immoral  and 
wichsd  conduct  of  Bishop  Jarvis,  and  pledged  myself  to  prove 
them,  if  they  would  give  me  an  opportunity] .  My  petition  was 
not  acteci  on,  and  Bishop  Jarvis  again  witiiout  hearing 
or  trial,  and  without  my  knowledge  issued  and  publish- 
'..'(!  riUfithei-  papa-,  fuunded  on  the  nnsrepresentatioiis 
v.hlch  he  himself  and  his  party  had  made  to  the  Houso 
■  )■■  Bishops  in  New-York,  and  which  they  had  referretl 
to  Connecticut  for  trial.  My  articles  of  complaint  re- 
main with  the  Secretary  to  this  day,  i;ntried  and  uni;> 
vopiigated. 

Soon  after  this  last  paper  of  Bishop  Jarvis  was^  pub- 
lished, a  meeting  of  the  Episcopal  Society  of  St.  John's. 
church,. in  Stamtbrd,  was  legally  warned,  to  call  and  set- 
tle a  mmister;  and  by  a  vote  of  this  meeting  I  was  cal- 
led, received,  and  acknowledged  to  be  the  regular,  or- 
dained, and  settled  minister  and  Rector  of  St.  John's 
church  in  Stamford,  and  they  agreed  to  pay  me  at  the 
rate  of  ^558  a  year  during  my  natural  life,  any  order,  de- 
termination, or  decree  of  the  bishop  and  clergy,  or  any 
body  else,  to  the  contrary  notwithstandhig.  About  one 
hundred  lawful  voters  of  that  parish  were  in  favor  of  thi? 
vote,  and  seven  against  it.  These  seven,  except  one, 
were  near  relations  and  family  connections  of  Bishop 
Jarvis;  they  claimed  that  they,  seven,  were  the  society, 
and  owned  the  church  and  property;  and  that  the  hun- 
dred had,  by  their  vote,  ipso  facto,  ceased  to  be  church- 
men, and  had  forfeited  all  right  and  title  to  the  church 
and  property. 

On  this  ground,  they  seven,  sued  me  at  law,  for  tres- 
pass, in  going  into  their  church  and  preaching,  after  tho 
bishop  had  forbid  me.  On  trial  I  claimed  that  the  bish- 
op had  no  authority  to  forbid  any  clergyman  or  to  si- 
lence or  degrade  him.  It  was  then  incumbent  on  the 
plaintiffs  to  show  what  authority  the  bishop  had;  and  to 
do  this,  the  bishop's  vows  of  office,  on  condition  of  which 
he  was  made  a  bishop,  and  the  constitution  and  canons 
of  the  church,   must  be  introduced  and  read  in  court. 

Before  any  person  can  be  made  a  bishop  in  the  Uni- 
ted States,  he  must  make  this  promise,  viz.  '*!«  the  name 

tt  God,  Amen.''^     "I, chosen   bishop  of  the  Protes- 

o 


lant  Episcopal  Church  (in  Connecticut,  or  whatever 
«tate  it  may  be.)  do  promise  conlormity  and  obedience 
.otiie  doctrine,  discipline,  and  worship  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  S-tatet  of  America;  so 
lielp  me  God  through  Jesus  Christ." 

Among  other  things  he  promises,  "that  'le  will,  by 
the  help  of  God,  diligently  exercise  such  discipline  as  by 
the  authority  of  God's  word,  and  by  the  order,"  (that  is 
1  V  the  constitution  and  canons)  "of  this  church  is  com- 
mitted to  him."  In  confirmation  of  this  oath  and  prom- 
ise, he  takes  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and 
on  these  conditions  with  others,  he  isordaineJ  and  made 
a  bishop; — (see  the  consecration  of  bishops  ;n  the  book 
of  Common  Prayer.)  By  this,  the  Bishop  har  no  author- 
ity to  exercise  any  discipline,  to  forbid,  silence,  degrade 
or  even  to  censure  any  clergyman  without  the  previous 
steps  required  by  the  authority  of  God's  word,  and  the 
constitution  and  canons  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  The 
authority  of  God's  word  is,  if  thy  brother  trespass  against 
thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between  thee  and  him 
alone,"  (Matth.  13th  chapter)  "Against  an  elder  receive 
not  an  accusation  but  before  two  or  three  witnesses," 
(Tim.  (Jta  chapter.) 

The  constitution  of  the  Prol  Epis.  Church  in  the  United 
States — "Article  6th.  In  every  state  the  mode  of  trv- 
ing  clergymen  shall  be  instituted  by  the  convention  of 
the  church  therein,"  &.C.  "Article  4th.  Every  bishop 
of  this  church  shall  confine  the  exercise  of  his  Episco- 
pal office  to  his  own  proper  diocess  or  district." 

Canons  made  by  the  convention  of  the  Episcopal  Church 
in  Comiecticut,  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  June,  1798,  j'n 
conformity  to  the  6th  artick  of  the  constitution  of  the  Epis- 
copal church  in  the  United  States . 

Canon  3d.  Offences  fm'  which  a  cler2;yman  may  he 
brought  to  trial  in  the  state  of  Connecticut — Disorderly  and 
immoral  conduct,  neglect  of  duty,  disregarding  the  con- 
stitution and  canons  of  the  church,  or  disseminating  or 
countenancing  opinions  which  are  contrary  to  its  doc- 
trines are  offences  for  which  a  clergyman  msiy  be  broughf 
to  trial. 


MEMOIRS.  51 

Canon  4.  The  mode  ofivyinga  clergijraanin  Connec- 
ticut.— If  a  minister  offend  in  any  of  these  respects,  ap- 
plicatioii  ia  writing,  signed  by  liis  accusers,  shall  be  sent 
in  the  tirst  instance  to  the  standing  committee,  and  if  it 
appears  to  them  that  there  is  ground  for  the  charge,  they 
shall  report  thereupon  to  the  bishop,  who  shall  call  a  con- 
vention of  his  clergy,  not  less  than  seven,  and  after  a  full 
Inuring,  and  fair  trial  and  cxauiinafion,  the  bishop  with 
the  advice  of  the  clergy  present,  shall  pronounce  sentence 
against  hin";.* 

Before  the  Hon,,  Judge  Davenport,   in  Connecticut. 

Natha.xiel  Webb  and  others  r5.  Ammi  Rogers. 

This  is  an  action  of  trespas3,  in  which  the  plaintiffs 
demand  of  the  defendant  damage  and  their  cost,  for  go- 
ing into  their  church  in  Stamtbrd,  in  Connecticut,  and 
performing  ministerial  duties,  after  he  was  degraded  and 
forbidxjen  by  the  bishop. 

"And  the    defendant  did  offer  then  to  prove  in  court, 
^^y  the  Rev.  Ashbel  Baldwin,  who    had    long  been,  and 
at,  and  long  before  the  time  of  rendering    said  sentence 
of  degradation,  Vv'as,   and  still  is,   secretary  of  the  con- 
vention of  the  diocess  of  this  state,  and  one  of  the  s(at1-' ' 
ding  committee  thereof — that  no  application   in  writing 
was  ever  made  to  the  said  standing  committee,  against  or 
concerning  the   said  Ammi   Rogers;  and  that   no  report 
had  ever  been  made  against  said  Rogers  by  any  standing 
committee,   as  is   required  in  said    4th    canon;  and  that 
no  trial  of  said  Rogers  was  ever  had  by  any  convention 
of  clergy  in  this  state.     The  defendant   claimed  that  the 
said  testimony  of  said    Baldwin  was   admissible,  to  shew 
that  said  bishop  had  no  power   to  degrade    the  defendant 
at  the  time  of  issuing  and  pronouncing  the  earae.    To  which 
the    plaintiffs  did     object,    on  the  ground    that  the    said 
bishop  and  clergy  are    a  court   ecclesiastical,   with  com- 
petent  power  and  authority;  and  they  only  havin:^  juri.'^- 

*This  is  the  security  wliicli  every  Clergviiian  of  ilie  Episcopal  Cliurcii  lias, 
and  no  Bishop  has  authority  contrary  to  the  Canon.=,  more  than  a  Judije  or 
Justice  has  conti'ary  to  die  statute  la-vs  ol'  tlie  stale. 


52  MEMOIRS. 

diction  to  try,  coiidcmn  and  degrade  any  of  the  clergy  be- 
longing to  the  diocess  of  Connecticut,  and  that  their  de- 
cision IS  iinal  and  cannot  be  inquired  into  by  the  courts 
of  law  ot' civil  jurisdiction;  which  testimony  of  said  Bald- 
win was  adjudged  by  this  Court  to  be  admissible — and  the 
same  was  heard,  and  went  to  prove;  andtlie  court  found 
the  facts  from  liim  claimed  by  the  defendant  to  be  true." 
— ["and  the  said  Kogers  is  not  silenced  nor  degraded; 
but  has  full  power  and  authority  to  go  into  the  church 
to  preachy  to  baptize,  to  administer  the  sacrament,  to 
niarry,  and  to  perf^jrm  all  the  duties  pertaining  to  his  of- 
tice  as  a  priest  in  full  orders  and  in  good  standing  in 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  church."] 

The  foregoing  is  truly  extracted  from  the  bill  of  excep- 
tions, [befoie  the  superior  court  in  Fairfield  county]  in 
the  case  of  Nathaniel  Webb  and  others  vs.  Ammi  Ro- 
gers, dated  May  28th,  1805.   Examined  by  me, 

Ebe.\ezer   Davenport,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

The  Bishop's  party  sued  me  nine  times  for  this  same 
trespass,  and  there  was  seldom  a  day,  tor  almost  eight 
years,  when  I  was  not  harassed,  persecuted  and  distres- 
sed with  these  vexatious  and  unreasonable  lawsuits.  I 
was  attacked  in  the  most  spiteful  manner,  and  brought 
before  justice  courts,  county  courts,  superior  courts, 
courts  of  error,  and  in  every  instance  I  beat  them,  and 
recovered  my  cost,  or  they  withdrew  their  suit  and  paid 
their  own  cost.  They  never  did  at  any  time,  or  on  any 
occasion,  recover  from  me  so  much  as  one  cent,  or 
prove  any  thing  to  my  dishonour  or  disadvantage,  thougfi 
they  ransacked,  with  the  most  malicious  intentions,  liie 
most  private  passages  of  my  whole  life.  ]  was  obliged 
to  attend  court  four,  and  six  times  a  year,  at  a  distance 
of  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles,  witii  my  lawyers  and  wit- 
nesses, and  prepared  for  trial;  and  towards  the  end  of 
the  term  they  would  get  the  case  continued,  or  appeal 
or  withdraw  and  sue  again,  or  I  would  beat  them. 
Their  object  was,  without  doubt,  to  run  me  down  and  to 
run  out  my  property.  If  the  reader  asks  why  was  all 
this  hatred,  animosity,  and  contention  about  Mr.  Ro- 
gers?   I  answer,  not  because  I  had  committed  any  crime, 


MEMOIRS.  58 

Tziol  because  I  was  not  a  clergyman  in  regular  and  good 
standing,  and  in  love  and  friendship  with  my  own  people; 
and  the  bishop  himself  had  acknowledged   my  character 
and  authority  to  be  good  and  that  he  had  nothing  against 
me,  but  I  icas  a  republic  an  in  principle.     I  was  opposed  to 
a  union  of  church  and  state — I  was  opposed  to  compelling 
people  by  force  of  law  to  support  that  which  they  did  not 
believe  to  be   true.     In  Connecticut   every  settled  con- 
gregational presbyterian  minister  can  send    his  collector 
and  take  any  man's  horse   from  under   him,  or  his  oxen, 
or  cows  or  hogs,    or  any  property    which   he    possesses, 
(unless  he  has  signed  off,)    and    can    sell    it  at    the  post 
witriout  suing    him,  or  granting  him    a  hearing.     I  have 
known  them  to  take  even  a  man's  bible  and  sell  it  at  the 
post  to  pay  the  mmister's  tax.     1  have  known  Episcopa- 
lians, Baptist,  Methodists,  and  others,  actually  locked  up 
and  confined  in  a  filthy,  disgraceful  jail,  in  Connecticut, 
merely   because  they    would    not,  or    could  not    in  con- 
science pay  their  money  to  support  that  which  they  did 
not  believe  to  be  true.  I  could  mention  the  persons,  times 
and  places,   but  I   presume   that  no   one   acquainted    in 
Connecticut  will  deny   the  fact.     Can   it    then    be  any 
wonder  if  these  same  people  should  join  with  bishop  Jar- 
vis,  and  cause  me  to  be   sued    nine    times  for  the   same 
pretended   trespass,  keep  me  eight  years  in  law,  and  fi- 
nally on   the  charge  of  crimes  which    never  were  com- 
mitted, disgrace,  imprison,  and  ruin  me  and  my  innocent 
children  and  friends. 

The  Rev.  Philo  Shelton  made  solemn  oath  before  the 
Superior  Court  in  Fairfield  county,  Connecticut,  1st, 
that  he  then  was,  and  for  many  years  then  last  past  had 
been,  one  of  the  standing  committee  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  in  Connecticut,  and  that  he  was  one  of  them  at 
the  time  Bishop  Jarvis  issued  and  published  his  pa- 
pers against  Mr.  Rogers;  2d,  that  there  was  not  then, 
and  never  had  been  any  complaint  against,  or  hearing  or 
trial  of  said  Rogers  in  any  way  or  manner  prescribed  by 
the  Constitution  and  Canons  of  the  church  to  which  he 
belonged;  3d,  that  the  House  of  Bishops  did  decide  that 
5* 


U  MEMOIRS. 

he  was  exclusively  amenable  to  the  authority  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church  in  Connecticut. 

Certified  by  DAVID  BURR,  Clerk  of  Court. 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White  of  Pennsylvania,  made 
s>!emnoath  in  his  deposition  before  the  Superior  Court 
ii>  Fairfield  County  in  Connecticut,  1st,  that  he  was  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Bishops  m  the  United  States; 
2d,  that  in  his  opinion  it  does  not  come  whhin  the  prov- 
jice  of  the  said  House  of  Bishops  to  try,  judge  or  con- 
demn any  clergyman,  but  only  to  refer  him  to  the  state 
or  Diocess  to  which  he  does  belong  for  atrial;  3d,  that 
he  did  not  consider  the  House  of  Bishops  as  enjoining 
any  duty  upon  Bishop  Jarvis,  or  as  requiring  from  him 
any  act  relating  to  INIr.  Rogers. 

Certified  by  DAVID  BURR,  Clerk  of  Court. 

Bishop  Jarvis's  paper  against  me  Avas  (as  he  said  in 
said  paper)  in  discharge  of  a  duty  enjoined  upon,  and  re- 
quired from  him  by  the  House  of  Bishops — now  the  said 
Bishops  make  solemn  oath,  before  the  Superior  Court  in 
Fairfield  County,  in  Connecticut,  that  they  did  not  en- 
join upon  him  any  duty,  nor  require  from  him  any  act 
relating  to  me  ^cZP'Ei'thcr  then,  Bishop  Jarvis''s  papers 
against  me  are  a  sham  and  lie,  a  solemn  mockery  and  2vith- 
out  authority  and  void — or  the  House  of  Bishops  stand 
perjured  before  the  Superior  Court  in  Connecticut — 
Dare  any  one  deny  the  fact?  I  have  the  original  papers 
now  in  my  possession — I  challenge   contradiction  ! 

The  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore  made  solemn  oath,  be- 
fore the  said  Superior  Court,  that  he  ^-as  a  member  of 
the  said  House  of  Bishops,  and  that  the  case  ofJMr.  Ro- 
gers was  referred  to  the  authority  of  the  church  in  Con- 
necticut for  atrial — But  the  Rev.  Doct.  Bvonson,  presi- 
dent of  the  standing  committee  of  the  said  church  in  Con- 
necticut, says  expressly  in  his  letter  to  the  Church  in 
Glastenbury,  dated  March  13th,  1815,  there  never  has 
been  any  complaint,  hearing,  or  trial,  of  Mr.  Rogers,  at- 
cording  to  the.  Constitution  and  Canons  of  the  Church  in 
this  state  or  any  other y  Where  then  is  there  a  member 
of  the  .Episcopal  Church,  or  of  any  other  Church,  Cler- 


'         '         ME3I0IRS.         '  "  bS 

gy  or  Laity,  who  would  not  be  ashamed  to  uphold,  or 
endeavor  to  carry  into  effect  such  cruelty,  such  oppres- 
sion, such  abominable  persecution!  The  Rev.  Doot. 
INIansfield,  Joseph  Dudley,  Esq.  and  SamuelJ.  Andrews 
Esq.  made  solemn  oath,  that  they  heard  Bishop  Jarvi' 
declare  in  behalf  of  himself  and  of  the  Clergy  in  Con- 
necticut, we  have  nothing  against  Mr.  Rogers,  we  ack- 
nowledge his  character,  and  his  autliority  to  be  good, 
ysee  page  40)  but  I  was  a  Republican,  and  this  they  dare 
not  bring  up  as  an  objection. 

4fter  bishop  Jarvis  had  issued  his  papers  against  me, 
and  I  was  settled  in  Stamford,  as  before  stated  ;  he  cal- 
led a  number  of  his  clergy  together  in  that  place,  and 
sent  to  tlie  wardens  of  the  church  for  the  key  ;  they  re- 
jjlied  that  the  key  was  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  Am- 
mi  Rogers,  their  Rector  ;  that  if  they  wanted  it  they 
must  apply  to  him.  Bishop  Jarvis  then  addressed  a  let- 
ter to  Mr.  Ammi  Rogers  in  Stamford,  directing  the  key 
to  be  given  to  the  bearer.  I  returned  an  answer,  that  i 
knew  no  such  a  man  in  Stamford  as  Mr.  Aiiimi  Rogers  j 
that  if  he  wanted  the  key  of  the  church,  he  must  apply 
to  the  proper  officer,  ii'itk  the  title  of  his  office.  The  key 
was  not  given  up,  and  they  held  their  meeting  in  the 
school-house,  at  a  few  rods  distant  from  the  church.  At 
this  school-house  bishop  Jarvis  himself,  and  some  others 
of  his  party,  had  frequent  meetings,  while  the  door  of 
the  church  was  shut  against  them.  Tiieir  object  appear- 
ed to  be,  to  divide  the  affections  of  my  people,  and  to 
carry  into  effect  the  bishop's  papers,  by  propagating  the 
r.iost  scandalous  and  malicious  falsehoods,  and  when  the 
clergy  shall  undertake  to  destroy  a  man^s  character,  no 
mnocence,  no  virtue,  no  mtegrity  can- stand  before 
ihcm  ! 

After  I  had  recovered  a  verdict  of  ^oOO-,  before  the 
superior  court,  for  vexatious  and  unreasonable  law  suits, 
i  left  Connecticut,  and  moved  into  Greenfield,  in  the 
county  of  Saratoga  and  state  of  New-York,  where  1 
had  formerly  been  acquainted  ;  and  collected  a  congre- 
gation, organized  a  church,  had  it  incorporated  accord- 
ing to  law,  and  was  settled  there  as  their  Rector.  1 
then  brougiit  a  suit  against  bishop  Jarvis  for  slander  b^- 


66  MEMOIRS. 

fore  the  circuit  court  of  the  United  States,  to  be  holden  in 
New-Haven,  in  Connecticut,  in  April,    1811.     Here    I 
was  prepared  to  support  my  character  and  standing,  from 
the  town  where  I  was  born,    from  every    place   where    I 
had  resided,  and  from  every  parish  of  which  I  had   the 
charge.     But  although  1    had   taken    the    words   of  my 
declaration,  in  writing,  from  the  mouths  of  my  witnesses, 
betbre  I  brought  the  suit  ;  yet  now,  they   being   in   the 
neighborhood  of   Bishop  Jarvis,  and  of  his  federal  friends, 
and  in  my  absence  out  of  the  state,  they   could  not    be 
made  to  remember  any  thing  which  he  had  said    against 
me  ;  I  could  not  prove  the  words  of  my  declaration,  and 
was  obliged,  at  a  great  expense,  to    withdraw    my    suit 
Soon  after.  Bishop  Jarvis  went  into   the   city   of  New- 
l^ork,  I  pursued  him,  and  there  arrested  him  with  a   su- 
preme writ  for  ^20,000  damage,  in  issuing  papers  against 
rne,  without  authority,  thereby  causing  me,  my  children 
and  friends  to    be    disgraced,  and    unjustly   distressed  ; 
causing  me  to  be  harrassed    and  put   at   great    expense 
with  vexatiol;s  and  unreasonable  law   suits  ;  distressing 
iny  parishes,  breaking  up  my  settlements,  &c. 

After  I  had  sued  bishop  Jarvis  in  1811,  before  the 
supreme  court  in  the  state  of  New- York,  I  Avas  employed 
and  took  charge  of  the  Ep.  church  in  Saybrook,  Conn, 
and  preached  a  part  of  the  time  in  Pleasant  \' alley  ia 
Lirne,  and  remained  there  until  181-3.  In  April,  1813, 
my  case  against  bishop  Jarvis  was  brought  before  the 
court  in  the  city  of  N.  Y.  The  questions  were,  1st, 
Did  the  defendant  issue  papers  against  the  plaintiff  .''  The 
papers  were  ready  in  court  to  be  produced.  2d,  Had 
the  defendant  any  authority,  civil  or  ecclesiastical,  to 
i.ssue  and  publish  those  papers  in  the  manner  and  under 
the  ciicumstances  in  whicli  he  did  .'  Courts  of  law  of 
competent  Jurisdiction  in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  had 
already  decided  that  he  had  not.  3d,  What  is  the  dam- 
age in  this  case,  special  and  exemplary  ?  While  this 
case  was  depending,  and  before  a  decision  was  obtained, 
bishop  Jarvis  died,  and  the  case  died  with  him.  Tiius' 
the  matter  ended  so  far. 

In  the  year  1808,  I  went  to  Baltimore,  in  the  state  of 
Maryland,  and  presented  my  petition  to  the  general  con- 


MEMOIRS.  57 

vention  of  the  Episcopal  church,  tiien  sitting  there,  coni- 
piaining  of  bisliop  Jarvis,    for   issuing    and    publishing 
i)apers  against  nie,  without  hearing  or  trial  ;  without  my 
knovvlcdge,  and  contrary  to  the  canons   of  the  church  ; 
and  praying  to  have  them  revoked  and  declared  void,  as 
they  were.     Humble  petitions  from  the  church  in  JJran- 
!brd,  in  East-Haven,  in  Northford,    in    Wallingford,   in 
Durham,  in  Woodbridge,  in  Salem,  part  of  Waterbury, 
in  the  north  society  in  Derby,  in  Stamford,    in    Green- 
v/ich,  in  New-Canaan,  all  in  the  state    of  Connecticut  : 
and  from  the  church  in  Ballston,  in  Milton,  and  in  Charl- 
ton, in  the  state  of  New-York,   to    the    same    amount  ; 
and  stating  their  knowledge  and  approbatiori    of  me  and 
my  character,  were  also  presented  to   the    general   con- 
vention at  the  same  time.     Whereupon  it  was   resolved, 
that  neither  the  general  convention  nor  any    bishop   has 
the  cognizance  of  the  conduct   of  any    minister,    except 
in  the  diocess  to  which  he  belongs  and  conformably  to  the 
canons,  by   the  convention  of  the  church  in  that  diocess, 
prescribed.   '  This  was  the  amount,  if  not  the  very  words 
of  their  resolution.     But  to  afford  the  redress  prayed  for, 
the  House  of  Bishops,  in  their  pastoral  letter   to    every 
member  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  the    United    States, 
issued  and  published  at  that  time,   the   established    prin- 
ciple of  the  church  on  this   point  in    page    15,    and    16, 
viz. 

'■  The  church  has'made  provision  for  the  degradation 
of  unwortliy  clergymen.  It  is  for  us  to  suppose  that 
there  are  none  of  this  description,  until  the  contrary  is 
made  known  to  us,  in  our  respective  places,  in  the  man- 
ner prescribed  by  the  canons."  [i.  c.  neither  ilie  Rev. 
^iiiimi  Rogers  nor  mvj  other  clergyman  is  to  be  considered 
silenced,  unn'ortlnj  or  degraded,  unid  he  has  had  a  full 
nearing  and  fair  trial  according  to  the  canons  of  some 
particular  state  or  diocess,  to  ichich  he  belongs,']  "  and  if 
the  contrary  to  what  we  wish  is  in  any  instance  to  be  found, 
[i.  e.  if  Bishop  Jarvis  has  done  this  thing~j  "  it  lies  on 
vou,  our  clerical  and  lay  brethren,  to  present  such  faidly 
conduct,  although  with  due  regard  to  proof,  and  above 
all,  in  a  temper  which  shewsi  the  impelling  motive,   to  h^ 


58  MEMOIRS. 

,the  olory  of  God,  and  the  sanctity  of  the  reputation   of 
his  church." 

'•'  While  we  are  not  conscious  of  any  bias,  which  un- 
der an  official  call  would  prevent  the  conscientious  dis- 
charge of  duty,  WE  WISH  TO  BE  EXPLICIT  IN  iMAKl.XG 
KNOWN  TO  ALL,  THAT  WE  THINK  IT  DUE  TO  GOD  .iND  TO 
HIS  CHURCH  TO  AVOID  WHATEVER  IMaY  SANCTION  ASSUMED 

POWER,  however  desirable  the  end  to  which  it  may  be  di- 
rected :  we  have  at  least  as  weighty  reasons  to  restrain 
us  from  judging  without  inquiry,  and  from  censuring 
without  evidence  of  crime  ;  these  are  ends  to  which  men 
of  impetuous  spirits  would  sometimes  draw.  But  we 
would  rather  subject  ourselves  to  the  charge  of  indiffer- 
ence, however  little  merited,  than  be  the  means  of  es- 
tablishing precedents,  giving  to  slander  an  advantage, 
against  which  no  innocence  can  be  a  shield,  and  leaving 
to  no  man  a  security,  either  of  interest  or  of  reputation," 
[i.  e.  the  House  of  Bishops  would  rather  let  (he  guilty  go 
mipimishcd,  than  be  the  means  of  establishing  precedents 
cf  assumed  pou'er,  in  declaring  a  clergyman  unxtoithy  and 
degraded  uithoid  hearing  or  trial  according  to  the  canons 
cf  the  church  in  that  state  to  ichich  he  belongs  ;  for  this 
wcidd  be  giving  to  slander  an  advantage,  against  which  no  , 
innocence  could  be  a  ahisld,  and  it  would  be  leaving  to  no 
7nan  a  security,  either  of  interest  or  of  reputation. \  "  Al- 
though we  have  no  reason  to  complain  that  sentiments 
in  contrariety  to  these  prevail  among  us  to  any  consider- 
able extent,"  [r.  e.  no  one  but  Bishop  Jarvis  has  assumed 
this  power,']  "  yet  we  freely  deliver  our  sentiments  on 
this  subject,  in  order  to  give  us  an  opportuniiy  of  calling 
on  all  wise  and  good  men,  and  we  shall  not  call  on  them 
in  vain,  to  aid  us  in  resisting  that  mischievous  spirit, 
which  confounds  right  and  wrong,  in  judging  the  charac- 
ter and  rights  of  others. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Bishops  in   General 
Convention,  at  Baltimore,  May  23d,  1808. 

William  White,  Prosiding  Bisho]3. 
Attested  by 

James  Whitehead,   Secretary. 

Thus  the  papers  issued  against  me,  by  Bishop  Jarvis 
are  wholly  revoked  and  declared  void  bv  the  house  ofbish  • 


MEMOIRS.  69 

ops,  the  highest  ecclesiastical  authority  in  the  Episcopal 
cfuirch  in  the  United  States.  I  am  by  them  virtually 
declared  a  clergyman  of  good  standing  in  the  Episcopal 
ch'jrch,  and  the  conduct  ot"  Bishop  Jarvis,  in  regard  to 
nie  is  reprobated  in  language  of  great  justice  and  severity. 
In  the  year  1813,  I  removed  from  Saybrook,  and  was 
employed  to  perform  ministerial  duties  in  St.  Peter's 
church  in  Hebron,  in  Tolland  county,  one  part  of  the 
time.  I  also  collected  a  congregation,  and  was  employ- 
ed to  preach  a  part  of  the  time  in  Jewitt  City,  a  hand- 
some village,  which  was  then  a  part  of  the  town  of  Pres- 
ton, and  near  Jiisbon,  but  is  now  a  part  of  the  town 
f>f  Griswold,  in  New-London  county.  The  next  year 
1  was  employed  to  preach  a  part  of  the  time  in  Poqua- 
tanac,  which'  is  a  handsome  village  on  a  bay  on  the  east 
side  of  the  River  Thames,  ten  miles  from  New-London, 
on  the  line  between  the  towns  of  Groton  and  Preston. 
In  these  parishes,  and  in  some  other  towns  in  that  part 
of  the  state,  religion  and  the  Episcopal  church  v.ero 
!:Iessed  and  prospered  exceedingly  under  my  ministry. 
The  congregations  were  large,  attentive,  united  and  I 
be'ieve  were  happy. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
BISHOP   HOB  ART  LY  C0^\YECTJCv2\  S^c. 

In  the  year  1816,  Bishop  Hobart  of  New-York,  was 
requested  by  the  convention  of  the  Episcopal  church  m 
Connecticut,  to  take  charge  of  their  churches,  for  the 
present,  and  to  perform  Episcopal  duties  in  the  etate  ; 
■with  this  request  he  complied  ;  and  soon  after,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Blakeslee  of  New-London,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tyler  ,' 
of  Norwich,     addressed  to   him  the  following  letter,  viz.  ; 

New-London,  Oct.   10th,  1816. 
Right  Rev.  Sm,  ^ 

We  are  located  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mr.  Roge  j 
whose  standing,  is  not,  we  presume  unknown  to  the  hi  ! 
op.     To  dictate  any  mode  of  proceeding,  is  far  from        I 


intention  ;  but  we  beg  leave  to  suggest  whether  . 
thing  cannot  be  done  that  may  conciliate  the  feelings,  < 
and  produce  that  unity  which  is  so  desirable,  and  \vc  may 
say,  so  absolutely  necessary,  to  the  prosperity  of  the 
Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Rogers  has  several  churches  in 
our  neighborhood,  entirely  built  up  (under  the  care  of  a 
superintending  Providence)  by  his  own  exertions,  under 
all  the  opposing  difficulties  which  attend  him.  His  pa- 
rishioners and  many  other  gentleman,  as  well  clergy  as 
laity,  seem  to  doubt  the  constitutionality  of  his  trial,  [/le 
never  had  atnol,  seepage  58]  and  the  correctness  of  the 
sentence  of  degradation  which  is  said  to  lie  against  him  ; 
of  course  the  decree  has  not  been  regarded  by  great 
bodies  of  people.  He  is  now  performing  the  stated  du- 
ties of  a  presbyter  in  the  Episcopal  church.  His 
friends  say  (and  we  believe  with  strict  propriety,  so  far 
as  respects  the  churches  m  our  neighborhood,)  that  Mr. 
Rogers  has  been  exemplary  in  his  conduct,  zealous  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duty,  correct  in  his  doctrines,  per- 
severing in  the  cause  of  the  church  ;  and  they  most  de- 
voutly request  that  the  bishop  would  advise  some  meth- 
od, either  by  trial  or  reconciliation,  by  strict  constitu- 
tional discipline,  or  by  an  indulgence  founded  on  a  wish 
.0  conciliate,  and  a  charity  which  inclines  to  mercy, 
where  the  technical  rules  of  legal  administration  will 
permit.  And,  sir,  when  we  view  this  unliappy  misunder- 
standing in  all  its  bearings,  we  cannot  but  feel  a  wish 
that  the  bishop  would,  in  his  wisdom,  (for  we  are  eatis- 
tied  with  his  zeal  for  the  promotion  of  the  blessed  Epis- 
copal church,)  devise  some  method  by  which  this  unhap- 
py division  may  be  healed,  and  the  peace,  honor  and 
welfare  of  that  communion  to  which  we  belong,  be  pre- 
served and  consummated  ;  and  the  enemies  of  our  most 
holy  faith  be  deprived  of  their  boasting. 

With  sentiments  of  the  most  profound  respect  and 
dutiful  submission  to  the  direction  of  our  ordinary,  we. 
are,  Right  Reverend  Sir,  yours,  &c. 

JoHX  Tyler, 
Rector  of  Christ's  Church,  Norwich, 
Solomon  Blakeslee, 
B«etOi  of  (St.  James  Church,  New-London, 


MEMOIKa.  a 

I  attended  the  convention  of  the  Episcopal  church 
m  New-Haven,  in  October,  1816,  when  I  wrote  and 
sent  to  Bishop  Hobart  the  following  letter,  viz 

JYexO'Haveiij  Oct.  Jo/A,  1816. 
Right  Rev.  Sir, 

After  what  has  passed,  with  how  much  reason   I  ca;!i 
apply  to  the  goodness  of  your  disposition,  to  your  justice, 
to  your  mercy,  or  to  the  charity  of  the   disciple  of  him 
who  hath  said, "  condemn  not  and  ye  shall   not   bt  con- 
demned,^' the  result  of  this  communication  will   in   some 
measure  evince.     It  was  twenty-four  years  on  the  24th 
day  of  last  June,  since  I  was  ordained   deacox,    and   it 
will  be  twenty-two  years  on  the  19th  day  of  the  present 
month,  since  I  was  ordained  a   priest.     And   in   enter- 
ing this  holy  and  all  important  ministry,  I  did  then,  and 
do  now,  humbly  trust  and  believe  that  I "  was   inwardly 
moved  by  that  ever  blessed  Spirit  of  God,  from  whom 
all  holy  desires,  all  good  counsels,  and  all  just  works  do 
proceed  ;  that  I  was  truly  called  according  to  the  will 
of  God  and  the  canons  of  the  Episcopal  church  ;  and  I 
have,  as  God  has  enabled  me,  endeavored  with  all  faith- 
fulness rightly  and  truly  to  administer  the  doctrines  and 
sacraments  of  the  church  of  God,  and  to  make  myself 
a  wholesome  example  to   the   flock   of  Christ.     I  have 
administered,  during  my  ministry,  about  three  thousand 
baptisms  to  men,  women   and  children.     I    have,  upon 
theirfcredible  profession  of  faith  and  repentance,  and  an 
assurance  of  their  earnest  intention,  by  God's  grace,  to 
lead  a  new  life,   following  the  commandments   of  God, 
and  walking  from  henceforth  in  his  holy  ways,    admitted 
to  the  holy  communion  more  than  five  hundred   persons, 
and  administered  to  them  the  blessed  sacrament   of  the 
Lord's  supper.     [I  have  administered  the  sacrament  of 
the  Lord's  supper  to  more  than  eleven   hundred  differ 
ent  persons.     I  have  joined  about  two  hundred   person.' 
in  holy  matrimony  :  and   I   have  deposited    about   on* 
hundred  and  thirty  dead  bodies  of  my  fellow   christians 
in  the  silent  grave,  looking  for  the   general  resurrection 
in  the  last  day,  and  the  life  of  the  world  to  come,  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     I  am  not  conscious  that  I  have 
6 


C>2  ftTEMOIUS. 

in  any  respect,  departed  from  the  doctrine  or  worship  ol 
the  Episcopal  church,  nor  from  its  discipline. 

My  nearest  neighbors  and  parishioners,  the  wardens 
and  vestries,  and  congregations  which  have  been  under 
my  particular  care,  have  uniformly  and  very  unanimous- 
ly declared  that  I  have  always  been  to  them  a  very  faith- 
ful minister,  and  a  very  exemplary  man  ;  and  that  al- 
though they  have  been  constantly  conversant  and  well 
acquainted  with  me  for  days,  and  weeks,  and  months, 
and  years,  yet  from  their  own  personal  knowledge  they 
had  not  known  or  had  reason  to  believe  that  1  had  or 
would  depart  from  the  rules  of  morality  and  propriety. 
This  has  been  the  amount  of  their  uniform  and  very 
unanimous  testimony.  I  now  have  about  two  thousand 
souls  in  my  ministerial  care,  and  I  know  no  one  of  them 
who  I  think  would  not  give  this  testimony  if  called  upon. 
But  when  I  bring  my  own  conscience  to  the  bar  of  God; 
when  I  consider  the  awful  responsibility  of  my  profes- 
sion; when  I  compare  the  inward  disposition  of  my  heart 
and  my  outward  words  and  actions  with  the  purity  of 
God  and  the  perfect  rule  of  his  word,  I  feel  my  own  im- 
perfection, I  blush  at  my  unworthiness,  I  see  the  want 
of  an  atonement,  and  feel  the  want  of  forgiveness.  Anc 
on  a  review  of  the  unhappy  opposition  which  bishop  Jar 
vis  and  others  have  raised  against  me,  conscious  of  my 
own  frailty,  and  sensible  that  I,  like  other  men,  have  been 
liable  to  err,  I  now  confess  that  I  have  oflen  said  art!  done 
that  which,  on  reflection,  I  am  sorry  for;  and  now  de- 
clare, that  whereinsoever  I  have  gone  astray  from  my 
duty,  whereinsoever  I  have  done  any  wrong  to  any  per- 
son by  word  or  deed,  I  do  now  truly  and  earnestly  repent, 
I  am  heartily  sorry  for  it,  and  am  ready  and  willing  to 
make  restitution  to  the  utmost  of  my  power;  and  I  hum- 
bly pray  them  for  God's  sake,  to  forgive  me  all  that  is 
past.  And  whereinsoever  any  person  has  done  me  any 
wrong,  by  word  or  deed,  and  I  have  been  greatly 
abused,  greatly  misrepresented,  greatly  injured,  and 
things  laid  to  my  charge  which  I  never  knew;  I  am 
ready  and  willing  to  forgive  them  from  the  bottom  of 
mr  heart,  and  never  more  to  mention  it;  and  I.  hereby 
otter  ray  hand  in  charity  and  friendship  to  all  with  whom 


MEMOIRS.  6S 

I  have  bad  any  controversy.  /  do  not  ask  lo  be  restored 
to  the  ministry,  for  I  have  never  been  canonically  cen- 
sured, suspended,  silenced,  or  degraded;  nor  am  I  absolv- 
ed fwm  my  ordination  vows;  but  I  ask  for  peace  and  re- 
conciliation, that  the  beginning  of  the  Bishop's  govern- 
ment of  the  church  in  this  state  rnay  be  like  the  first  day 
of  a  new  world,  where  every  one  is  a  friend  to  every 
one,  where  all  is  harmony,  all  is  friendship,  and  all  are 
pleased,  and  all  are  delighted  with  al\  I  know  that 
where  envy  and  strife  is,  there  is  confusion  and  every 
evil  work,  and  I  am  heartily  tired  with  it.  I  religious- 
ly believe  the  Episcopal  Church  to  be  a  divine  appoint- 
ment; that  it  is  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the 
first  born  on  earth,  the  medium  through  which  we  must 
become  members  of  the  church  triumphant  in  Heaven. 
In  union  and  communion  with  this  church,  I  wish,  and 
intend,  by  God's  grace  to  live  and  die;  and  in  it  I  pray 
God  to  give  me  the  confidence  of  a  sure  and  a  certain 
faith,  the  comfort  of  a  reasonable,  religious  and  holy  hope ; 
and  that  I  may  be  in  favour  with  God,  and  in  perfect 
'  charity  with  all  the  world.  In  a  court  of  law  I  expect 
,  impartial  justice,  in  an  Ecclesiastical  Council  I  expect 
mercy,  peace  and  reconciliation.  You  will  please  to 
lay  this  before  the  clergy  this  evening,  or  on  the  first 
opportunity,  and  let  me  know  your  determination 
in  the  case,  at  Bishop's  tavern  in  State  Street,  in  New- 
Haven;  and  I  am.  Right  Reverend  Sir,  with  sentiments 
of  due  consideration,  your  most  obedient  and  very  hum- 
ble servant, 

AMMI  ROGERS. 

I  was  not  informed  whether  the  foregoing  letter  and 
that  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Tyler  and  Blakeslee  were  laid 
before  the  Convention  by  the  bishop  or  not;  but  a  mo- 
tion was  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rayner  of  Huntington, 
to  drop  all  matters  in  regard  to  me,  and  that  I  should  be 
received  as  a  member  of  that  convention.  This  was  ad- 
vocated by  most  of  the  clergy  and  laity  from  the  eastern 
part  of  the  state — and  opposed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bur  - 
bans,  Burrage  Beach,  and  Asa  Chapman,  now  Judge 
Chapman      This  last  had  been  employed  as   counsel  in 


64  MEMOIRS 

some,  if  not  all  the  suits  against  me,  for  seven  years,  in 
Fairfield  county.  Though  educated  at  the  same  Col- 
lege and  at  the  same  time,  he  had  now  become  my  per- 
sonal, political,  and  religious  enemy;  at  this  time  he  vol- 
unteered his  services,  and  I  was  informed  discovered 
great  zeal  and  animosity  against  me;  and  by  his  influence 
and  of  other  federals,  the  motion  was  lost  by  a  very  small 
majority. — Could  any  thing  be  more  arbitrary,  tyrranical 
and  oppressive,  than  to  deprive  a  clergyman  of  his  just 
rights  and  privileges^  without  hearing  or  trial,  according 
to  the  canons  of  the  church,  in  any  state,  in  the  face  and 
eyes  of  the  pastoral  letter  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  and 
the  solemn  decisions  of  our  courts  of  law;  and  to  refuse 
all  overtures  of  mercy,  peace  and  reconciliation.-'  Is  not 
this  persecution.'  But  this  was  only  the  beginning  of  that 
dreadful  plot,  by  which  I  have  since  suflfered  two  years 
imprisonment,  and  the  loss  of  all  worldly  comforts. 

In  the  year  1817,  the  Rev.  Mr  Blakeslee,  by  the  di- 
rection of  Bishop  Hobart,   visited  all  my   parishes,  per- 
formed divine  service  with  them,  preached  to  them,  and 
gave  them  public  notice  that  the  bishop  would  himself, 
within  a  few  days,   visit  them  in  person;  that  he  would 
perform  divine  service,  preach,  confirm,  and  administer  ' 
the  holy  communion  to  them,  and  desired  them  to  pre-  ^'' 
pare  themselves  accordingly.     Soon  after  his  return  he  ' 
wrote,  and  sent  the  following  letter,  viz. 

Frcnn  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blakeslee  of  jYew-Londony  to  the  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  Hobart  y  New- York. 

New-London,  July  14th,  1817. 
Right  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

Agreeable  to  your  request,  I  have  made  a  tour  through 
the  north-eastern  section  of  this  state,  and  have  visited 
nine  parishes,  preached  and  performed  service  in  each  of 
them.  Seven  of  them  are  purely  the  result  of  Mr.  Ro- 
ger's labors;  the  other  two  were  but  the  ruins  of  what 
they  once  had  been.  The  church  in  Pouquatanic,  where 
1  commenced  my  mission,  was  collected  some  fifty  or 
si.\ty  years  since,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Punderson,  but  ruined 
by  untoward  events  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and 


MEMOIRS.  « 

has  never  been  able  (though  occasionally  visited  by  the 
Rev.  ]\fr.  Tyler,)  to  assume  an  aspect  of  respectability. 
The  building  was  almost  dem<»lishec!,  when  Mr  Rogers, 
about  three  years  since,  first  visited  them.  From  four 
to  six  families  were  the  number  of  Episcopalians  thea 
in  the  parish,  as  stated  to  me  by  the  wardens  and  vestry. 
The  church  has  since  been  rebuilt  and  finished,  with  a 
bell  to  it,  and  the  number  of  families  now  belonging  to 
it  are  from  fifty  to  sixty; — from  three  to  four  hundred 
usually  attend.  They  speak  in  high  terms  of  the  piety, 
zeal  and  talents  of  their  minister,  and  of  the  perfect  har- 
mony and  friendship  which  subsist  among  them.  Here 
I  met  Mr.  Tyler  and  Mr.  Rogers,  who  attended  me  in 
the  services  of  the  day. 

From  this  place  I,  attended  with  Mr.  Rogers  went  to 
Jewett  City,  about  nine  miles,  where  the  service  had 
never  been  attended  to  but  by  him.  Here  I  found  a 
handsome  stone  chapel,  finished  outside,  where  I  met  a 
numerous  congregation,  who  joined  devoutly  in  the  ser- 
vice, and  performed  the  responses  in  an  audible  and 
decent  manner.  The  hearts  of  the  good  people  were 
warm,  and  a  spontaneous  glow  of  afi*ection  told  us  hov/ 
ardently  they  felt  the  force  of  that  obligation,  which,  by 
your  permission  had  been  conferred  upon  them.  I  cal- 
led upon  a  number  of  genteel  families,  who  received  me 
with  marked  respect,  and  expressed  a  warmth  of  at- 
tachment highly  honorable  to  the  zeal  and  faithfulness 
of  Mr.  Rogers.  The  prospect  of  the  growth 
of  the  church,  although  affected  by  the  failure 
of  the  manufacturing  interest  in  this  place,  is,  however, 
very  flattering;  and  the  pleasure  they  felt  in  being  thus 
noticed,  led  them  to  say  the  village  had  not  seen  so  hap- 
py a  day  for  five  years.  We  left  the  village  that  evening 
and  proceeded  about  three  miles,  where  we  v.ere  enter- 
tained with  hospitality  and  kindness. 

Early  on  Tuesday  morning  we  drove  about  ten  miles: 
to  Mr.  Cleaveland's  in  Canterbury,  where  I  performed 
service  to  an  attentive  and  respectable  audience,  ardent 
m  the  cause  of  the  church,  and  dispassionate  in  their  iu- 
quiries.  g  ^ 


m  JiEMOIRS 

Fi'om  thence  we  drove  to  Hampton,  about  six  miles, 
and  were  received  with  equal  civility.  I  performed  ser- 
vice at  the  house  o/Mr.  Litchfield,  convenient  for  a  pri- 
vate house;  the  congregation  from  two  to  three  hundred, 
the  responses  audible,  and  the  attention  warm  and  anima- 
ted. 

From  this  we  proceeded  to  Stafford,  about  twenty-five 
miles,  where  I  performed  service  in  the  afternoon,  having 
but  one  service  on  that  day.  The  politeness  with  which 
we  were  received  by  all  the  respectable  inhabitants,  to- 
gether with  their  devout  attendance  on  the  service  of  the 
day,  declared  plainly  how  ardent  their  feelings  were  in 
favor  of  the  church;  their  gratitude  was  loud,  their  ac- 
knowledgements were  fervent . 

On  Thursday  morning,  after  discharging  our  obliga- 
tion of  poiiteness  to  Mr.  Johnson,  owner  of  the  establish- 
ment at  the  springs  in  Stafford,  for  a  particular  invitation 
to  stop  and  breakfast  with  hini,  we  proceeded  to  Ando- 
vor,  about  twenty  miles,  where  I  performed  service  in 
the  meeting-house,  (they  having  lately  dismissed  their 
clergyman,)  to  an  audience  of  several  hundreds,  devout 
in  their  appearance,  and  orderly  in  their  devotions.  Ex- 
pressions of  approbation  in  favor  of  the  Episcopal  wor 
ship  were  almost  universal;  a  handsome  repast  was  pro- 
vided by  Esquire  House. 

In  the  afternoon  we  rode  about  six  miles  to  Columbia, 
where  I  performed  service  in  the  meeting-house  to  an 
attentive  and  respectful  audience,  they  having  likewise 
lately  dismissed  their  minister. 

On  Friday  forenoon  I  performed  service  in  Bolton, 
about  eight  miles,  in  a  house  purchased  by  Episcopalians, 
and  fitted  up  for  a  place  of  stated  worship.  In  this 
place  there  has  been  a  warm  opposition  to  the  church. 
Few  attended  beside  their  own  members.  They  ap 
peared  like  a  little  band,  girt  with  armour,  supporting 
the  cross,  and  bearing  the  standard  of  their  blessed  Mas- 
ter. They  performed  the  service  with  a  devotion  and 
ardour  that  would  warm  the  coldest  heart,  and  inspire 
the  dumbest  tongue.     We  dined  at  Doct.  White's. 

From  thence  we  passed  to  Hebron,  about  six  miles, 
where  at  four  o'clock  I  performed  my  last  service.     Here 


MEMoms.  fn 

a  numerous  congregation  collected  from  the  scattered 
ruins  of  a  church  founded  some  sixty  or  seventy  years  ago 
by  the  Rev.  Mr,  Peters,  but  miserably  scattered  during 
the  revolutionary  war,  and  but  barely  kept  alive  until 
Mr.  Rogers  took  charge  of  them  about  four  years  since  ; 
from  which  it  has  wonderfully  increased  in  numbers,  and 
many  have  joined  the  communion. 

On  Saturday,  Mr,  Rogers  attended  me  to  Colches- 
ter, where  I  took  the  stage  and  returned  to  my  family 
and  friends.  And  sir,  when  I  retrace  the  circuitous 
route,  of  at  least  one  hundred  and  forty  miles,  which  I 
performed,  every  stage  is  marked  with  agreeable  inci- 
dents, and  every  toil  is  sweetened  with  an  endearing 
recollection.  If  there  is  any  pleasure  in  conferring  an 
obligation,  you,  sir,  must  feel  the  expression  of  that 
gratitude,  which  animated  every  heart.  Your  good- 
ness in  authorizing  this  mission,  wiH  long  be  remember- 
ed, as  a  monument  of  that  charity  which  delights  in  do- 
ing good. 

Here  my  communication  should  have  ended,  but  for 
the  pledge  which  I  gave  and  an  ardent  desire  which  I 
feel  in  leaving  no  interest  unessayed,  which  might  tend 
5  to  promote  the  interest  and  prosperity  of  the  church.  I 
:  have  already  stated,  that  these  churches  have  been 
"'<  reared  into  life  by  the  care  and  industry  of  Mr.  Rogers, 
and  to  speak  with  caution,  they  embrace  a  number  of  not 
less  than  two  thousand  souls  ;  many  of  them  have  re- 
ceived baptism  at  his  hands,  have  come  to  the  holy  com- 
munion through  his  persuasion  and  influence,  and  now 
wait  with  a  hope  and  expectation  of  being  presented  by 
their  own  minister  to  the  bishop,  that  they  may  receive 
the  apostolic  rite  of  confirmation.  This  is  the  only  point 
which  involves  nit  any  delicacy.  If  Mr.  Rogrrs  is  not 
possessed  of  ecclesiastical  authority  his  administrations 
are  of  course  void  ;  if  he  is  possessed  of  authority  and 
constitutionally  deprived  of  the  exercise,  his  administra- 
tion must  be  equally  invalid.  But  if  he  j)as  unjustly, 
that  is,  xvithout  a  const'dtitional  and  canovkal  tnal  been  for- 
bidden the  lawful  exercise  of  that  authority  which  he  co;j- 
slitutionally  and  rightfully  possessed,  can  the  interdict  in 
any  sense  effect  the  i-ight  either  in  the.  person  dispensing 


68  UEMOIRS. 

Of  in  the  persons  receiving  the  "xercise  of  that  powei  ?  '  .'  It 
may  not  be  permitted  for  nic  io  travel  over  decisions  said 
to  be  bottomed  on  legitimate  principles,  but  I  should  bo 
sorry  to  find  on  the  records  of  the  church  history,  pre- 
cedents by  which,  if  they  should  obtain  the  force  of  law, 
the  whole  right  of  trial  uvuld  be  committed^  and  constitU' 
tional  discipline  set  at  defiance  .'  i  I  am  disposed  to  be- 
lieve that  whatever  is  rightly,  that  is,  constitutionally  and 
canonicalhj  bound  on  earth,  is  bound  in  heaven  ;  hut  can 
any  vian  hi  his  smses  suppose  that  there  is  any  force  in  a 
sentence  not  constiltdionaUy  inflicted  .'  /  If  such  is  the 
case,  the  whole  Protestant  church  stands  this  moment 
excommunicated  !  The  maxim  of  the  Apostle  is,  they 
who  have  a  written  law,  shall  be  judged  by  ihat  law,  and 
to  guard  this  claim,  it  would  appear  that  we  tceie  forbid- 
den, by  the  highest  ecclesiastical  authority,  tc  acknowl- 
edge, much  more  to  sanction  any  assumed  power.  [See  the 
bishop's  Pastoral  Letter  of  1808,  page  57. 

For  my  part  I  have  no  hesitation  in  acknowledging,  both 
the  authority  of  Mr.  Rogers  and  his  right  constitutional- 
ly to  exercise  it.  - 1  consider  every  step,  excepting  that 
of  deciding,  to  tvhat  authority  is  Mr.  Rogers  Exchiisiyz- 
i.Y  amenable  ?  so  informal  and  so  extra-judicial  that  no 
decision,  of  course,  no  consequence  affecting  the  charac- 
ter or  authority  of  Mr.  Rogers  can  grow  out  of  it.  And 
it  has  appeared  to  me  that  the  only  true  ground  of  pro- 
ceeding in  this  case  is  to  commence  it  de  novo,  [anew]  or 
to  pass  it  by  as  a  clerical  blunder,  and  learn  from  this  ex- 
ample, not  to  implicate  the  peace  of  tlte  church  through 
personal    misunderstandings. 

I  should  be  pleased  to  accompany  the  bishop  in  hi? 
visitation  of  the  church  in  Hebron,  Jewittcity,  and  Po- 
quatanic,  (three  only  of  the  nine  parishes  which  I  visit- 
ed have  churches,)  should  the  bishop  be  satisfied  that  it 
would  be  consistent  with  his  duty  to  acknowledge  Mr. 
Rogers'  administrations,  and  to  receive  from  him,  as  the 
curate,  the  subjects  of  confirmation,  and  to  communi- 
cate with  him  in  the  offices  of  the  church  ;  otherwise  I 
do  not  consider  it  prudent  to  hold  myself  responsible  for 
any  consequences  that  may  grow  out  of  your  sincere 
wishes  to  serve  them      This  much,   I  can  assure  you, 


MEMOIRS.  C9 

that  no  n:entlon  will  be  made  of  the  unpleasant  bu  jjecl 
by  them,  but  every  attention  and  every  mark  of  respect 
will  be  nioKt  cordially  bestowed,  should  you  feel  justified 
n  [)ursuirig  the  course  I  have  suggested.  Having  pledg- 
ed myself  not  to  lead  you  into  any  unpleasant  dilemma. 
I  feel  it,  my  duty  not  to  withold  any  information  by 
which  you  might  be  enabled  to  judge  correctly  of  the 
ftelings  of  n  great  proportion  of  society,  and  might  be 
enabled  to  form  an  opinion  and  make  your  decision  ac- 
cordingly. No  people,  I  am  sure,  v.  ill  more  cordially 
welcome  the  bishop,  or  treat  him  with  greater  respect, 
under  the  forementioned  conditions,  than  those  under 
the  care  of  Mr.  Rogers.  They  hold  out  the  branch  of 
•peace^  on  constitutional  principles,  and  they  feel  that 
there  can  be  no  security  left  to  the  church,  but  by  ad- 
hering strictly  to  its  principles.  And  sir,  I  venture  to 
say,  that  at  least  one  half  of  the  clergy  of  this  state  are 
of  the  same  opinion.  With  the  most  profound  assuran- 
ces of  my  cordial  respects  and  dutiful  submission  to 
every  constitutional  and  canonical  direction,  I  am,  Right 
Reverend  Sir,  your's  affectionately, 

SOLOMON  BLAKESLEE. 


CHAPTER  Vir. 

BTSHOP  HQBJIRT. 

Within   a  few  days   after  the    receipt  of  the  forer 
letter  Bishop  Hobart  published,  or  caused  to  be  pub^ 
ed,  in  all  the  newspapers  printed  in  Connecticut,  that 
would  visit  the  different  Episcopal  churches  in  thatst 
on  such  •particular  days  us  he   therein  designated, 
among  others,  that  he  would  visit  St.  Peter's  Churc 
Hebron,  on   the   20th    day   of  August,  1317,   and 
George's  Church  in   Jewitt  City,  on  such  a  day  in 
month,  and  St.  James's  church  inPouquatanic,  onan 
er  day  in  that  month.     E.\pectation    was  all    alive, 
suspicion  was  entertained  that  all  was  not  right,  or  th 
{ilan  was  formed  for  my  ruin  or  their  destruction.     G 


70  MEMOIRS. 

preparations  were  made  for  their  own  spiritual  iniprove- 
iDcnt  in  the  public  worship  of  God,  and  instruction  from 
his  word;  in  confirmation,  or  the  laying  of  hands,  in  the 
h-.'icrament  of  the  1-ord's  Supper,  and  God's  blessing,  all 
'■V  the  bishop.  Great  curiosity  was  awakened,  for  not 
jrie  out  of  an  hundred  of  the  people  in  my  cure,  had  ev- 
er ?een  a  bishop  in  their  lives.  Great  preparations 
were  made  to  honor  him  and  to  make  him  welcome.  1 
liad  taken  unusual  trouble  in  preaching  lectures  on  the 
subject  of  confirmation,  and  in  going  from  house  to  house 
in  all  my  parishes,  to  endeavor  to  explain  it  to  them,  and 
to  solemnize  their  minds  for  the  proper  and  worthy  re- 
ce))tion  of  that  interesting  rite.  On  the  night  before  the 
20th  of  August,  Mr.  Ezekiel  Brown,  one  of  the  church 
wardens  in  Hebron,  came  to  me  after  dark.  The  heart  of 
the  good  man  was  ready  to  burst,  the  tears  streamed  from 
his  eyes,  and  he  was  unable  to  speak;  at  length,  with  a 
broken  and  a  faultering  voice,  he  said,  I  have  bad  news; 
Tiie  bishop  is  a  going  to  disappoint  us;  he  says  he  can- 
not visit  our  church  because  you  are  here,  if  you  were 
aot  here  he  would  come. 

This  was  the  first  intimation  that  the  plan  was  to  drive  me  , 
olT,  or  to  ruin  me,  or  to  divide  and  scatter  the  churches 
and  congregations,  which  I  had  gathered.  There  was  J; 
no  time  for  reflection  or  consultation.  If  the  Bishop  did 
not  intend  to  visit  my  parishes,  why  did  he  impose  upon 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Elakeslee,  by  directinii  him  to  preach  to 
them,  and  to  give  them  false  notice?  Why  did  he  pledge 
himself  in  all  the  newspapers  to  me,  to  my  people,  and 
to  the  whole  world'  He  had  received  Mr.  Blakeslee's 
letter,  and  knew  upon  what  terms  he  would  be  received. 
He  was  expected  in  Hebron  at  four  o'clock  the  next  af- 
ternoon, and  it  was  thought  advisable  for  me  to  go  with 
the  wardens  and  Dr.  Peters,  the  next  mornipg,  to  the 
next  town,  where  the  bishop  was,  and  if  possible  make 
some  arrangements  with  him.  This  v,as  done,  and  he 
alledged  that  a  compliance  with  the  terms  of  Mv.  Blake- 
lee's  letter,  would  be  an  interference  on  his  part  with  the 
proceeding's  of  Bishop  Jarvis,  and  would  be  calling  upon 
himself  the  resentment  of  his  friends;  and  that  he  did  not 
wish  to  have   anv  thing  to  do  with  it  one  way  or  the  oth- 


MEMOIRS.  71 

cr;  at  length  he  agreed  that  he  would  perform  his  en- 
gagements and  not  disappoint  the  people  it'  the  wardens 
would  give  in  writing  under  their  hands,  that  they  ivould 
not  conaider  him  as  recognizing  mc  as  a  minister  on  that 
DAY.  He  said  expressly,  that  he  did  not  wish  to  approve 
or  disapprove  of  me  as  a  nnnister,  but  that  his  wish  and 
intention  was  to  leave  me  to-morrow  as  I  was  yesterday; 
he  did  not  see  me,  lest  it  should,  by  Bishop  Jarvis's 
friends  be  construed  into  an  arrangement  between  him 
and  me.  Rather  than  to  have  the  people  disappointed, 
they  consented  to  his  proposal.  He  wrote  a  certificate 
to  the  amount  of  what  he  proposed,  and  the  wardens  sign- 
ed it.  I  wish  to  have  it  distinctly  understood  that  he 
did  not  see  mc,  nor  make  any  arrangements  with  me,  or 
what  I  should  say,  or  do,  or  where  I  should  be.  In  re- 
gard to  this,  the  wardens  were  not  authorized,  neither 
did  they  make  any  arrangment  or  agreement;  but  only 
fur  themselves  and  the  church,  that  they  would  not  con- 
sider him  as  recognizing  me  as  a  minister  on  that  day. 
This  was  the  amount  of  their  certificate,  and  he  express- 
ly said  again  and  again,  that  he  did  not  wish  to  approve 
or  disapprove  of  me,  as  a  minister,  but  to  leave  me  to- 
morrow as  I  was  yesterday;  that  is,  as  discharging  all 
the  duties  of  a  regular  priest  in  the  Episcopal  Church. 
With  this  certificate,  he  came  to  Hebron,  in  company 
with  the  Hon.  John  S.  Peters,  and  others.  With  them 
he  came  to  the  door  of  St.  Peter's  Church  in  Hebron, 
on  the  20th  day  of  August,  1817.  From  1500  to  2000 
people  were,  by  computation,  assembled  for  public  wor- 
ship, for  religious  instruction,  and  for  divine  ordinan- 
ces. About  150  persons  were  present,  who  were  pro- 
pared  and  expected  to  be  confirmed.:  which  is  the  apos- 
tolic rite  of  laying  on  of  hands  after  baptism. — Great 
numbers  were  prepared  to  receive  from  the  hands  of  the 
bishop,  at  that  time,  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per. When  he  came  to  the  door  of  the  church,  while 
he  was  fastening  his  horse  and  carriage,  I  went  out  and 
welcomed  him  to  the  church  in  Hebron;  he  made  no  re- 
ply, but  said  to  one  of  the  wardens,  who  was  present,  Mr. 
Rogers  must  withdraw;  he  replied,  and  not  attend  the 
church.'  the  bishop  said  yes,  and  instantly  mounted  his, 


W  MEMOIRS. 

carriage,  apparently  in  anger,  and  rode  off,  without  con- 
sulting the  other  warden  or  the  vestry,  without  any  apol- 
oay  without  going  into  the  church,  and  without  even 
speaking  to  the  people.  The  insult,  the  astonishment, 
the  disappointment,  are  indescribable.  It  was  with  dif- 
ficulty that  many  were  restrained  from  offering  him  per- 
sonal violence.  The  federal  presbyterians  were  pleased 
and  some  of  them  actually  triumphed  and  e.xulted  at 
what  was  done.  The  church  people  were  mortified, 
disappointed  and  ashamed.  The  bishop  instead  of  go- 
ing to  the  house  of  the  Hon.  John  S.  Peters,  where  he 
was  expected  to  spend  the  night,  went  to  a  presbytcrian 
tavern,  had  a  luncheon,  satisfied  some  of  the  presbyteri- 
ans  (and  they  were  easily  satisfied)  that  he  had  done 
right,  and  rode  off.  The  other  churches  in  my  care  he 
wholly  neglected  and  disappointed.  Thus  more  than 
FOUR  THOUSAND  people  in  the  counties  of  Tolland,  Wind- 
ham and  New-London,  in  Connecticut,  were  in  th« 
month  of  August,  1317,  neglected,  insulted,  and  abused, 
by  bishop  Hobart.  This  was  a  matter  of  great  joy  to  the 
enemies  of  our  holy  religion, and  to  the  friends  of  Bishop 
Jarvis  in  the  Episcopal  church.  At  this  time,  some  of 
my  friends  and  parishioners  from  Jewitt  City,  and  Poqua- 
tanic,towhom  I  had  administered  baptism,  and  the  Lord's 
Supper,  attended  Bishop  Hobart's  visitation  in  Norwich, 
and  were  confirmed  by  him,  and  received  the  sacrament. 
At  this  time  Col.  Jeremiah  Halsey,  who  had  been 
brought  up  a  separate  congregational  presbytcrian,  and 
who  waa  a  strong  federal,  who  had  for  some  time  attended 
my  ministry,  with  his  family,  but  without  examination, 
reccommendation,  or  particular  profession,  now  bolted 
himself  in,  among  others,  and  was  confirmed  and  receiv- 
ed the  sacrament.  After  the  service  he  had  a  private 
conversation  with  Bishop  Hobart,  at  the  house  of  Col. 
Tyler,  and  from  that  time,  and  never  before,  he  became 
my  enemy.  The  blue  lights  of  Connecticut  were  now 
engaged;  the  plan  of  causing  me  to  submit  to  an  indig- 
nity in  my  own  parish,  and  in  the  presence  of  my  own 
people,  and  others,  or  to  drive  me  off  and  scatter  my 
congregations,  by  inducing  them  to  believe  the  decisions 
of  our  courts  of  law  and  the  pastoral  letter  of  the  House 


MEMOIRS.  73 

of  Bishops  were  of  no  force  ;  and  that  I  was  not  a  cler 
gyman  of  good  standing  in  the  church,  was  well  calcu- 
lated to  effect  the  purpose  of  tyranny  and  oppression,  in 
destroying  a  clergyman,  without  hearing  or  trial,  accord- 
ing to  any  rule,  canon  or  law  ;  and  one  of  whom  Bp 
Jarvis  himself  had  publicly  and  officially  declared,  in  be- 
half of  the  convention  of  the  whole  state  of  Conn, 
"  that  we  have  nothing  against  hira,"  [for  they  dare  not 
come  out  and  acknowledge  that  my  opposition  to  an  un- 
ion of  church  and  state,  was  their  objection,]  "  we  ac- 
knowledge his  authority  and  character  to  be  good." 
And  of  whom  the  bishop  of  New- York  had  declared 
''  that  he  always  considered  him  one  of  the  most  useful 
and  active  clergymen  in  that  state,  that  he  never  heard 
bishop  Provoost,  his  predecessor,  express  any  sentiments 
of  disapprobation  with  regard  to  him,  and  that  he  never 
had  at  any  time,  or  on  any  occa.sion,  fallen  under  the 
censure  of  the  ecclesiastical  authority  in  that  state  ;" 
and  of  whom  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tyler  of  Norwich,  .'lie  Rev. 
Mr.  Blakeslee  of  New-London,  and  many  ot'ier  clergy- 
men of  the  first  respectability  in  Connecticut,  had  spok- 
en in  terms  of  great  approbation,  respect  and  affection. 
The  plan,  however,  though  it  checked  the  prosperity  of 
the  church  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state,  gave  her  en- 
emies great  cause  of  triumph,  gave  them  occasioa  to 
speak  evil  of  me,  was  a  source  of  unhappmess  to  mc, 
and  to  all  my  people .  Yet  it  was  not  effectual;  they 
determined  still  to  adhere  to  me,  and  support  me.  For 
this  purpose  a  meeting  was  called  in  Windham,  termed 
an  Episcopal  Conference,  at  which  many  votes  and 
resolutions  were  passed  of  great  importance  ;  some  of, 
which  are  as  follows. 

—I 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

[EPISCOPAL  CONFERENCE 

At  a  meeting  of  ihe  Cominittces  of    Cpnference  appom- 
ted  by  and  in  behalf  of  the  members  of  the   Episcopal 

7 


'4-  MEMOIRS. 

church  in  Hebron,  in  Jewett  City,  in  Poquatanic,  ic 
Canterbury,  in  Hampton,  in  Stafford,  in  Andover,  ift 
Bolton,  and  in  Columbia,  duly  notified  and  convened,  in 
the  court-house  in  Windham,  this  29th  day  of  April, 
A.  D.  1818, 

Capt.  Andrew  Mann,  of  Hebron,  Moderator, 
Mr.  Pascal  Cady,  of  Canterbury,  Clerk, 
Voted  unanimously,  That  it  is  our  earnest  wish  and 
desire,  and  as  far  as  we  know  or  believe,  it  is  the  earn* 
est  wish  and  desire  of  the  people  that  we  represent, 
to  be  with  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  (with  whom  we  art 
perftdly  satisfied)  in  union  and  communion  with  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  in  the  state  of  Connecticut 
and  in  the  United  States,  submitting  ourseJves  to  its 
GovERNMKfiT,  ivhcn  administered  according  to  the  author' 
ihj  of  God\s  xoord  and  the  constitution  and  canons  of  said 
church,  conforming  ourselves  to  its  doctrines  and  wor- 
ship, as  represented  and  set  forth  in  the  holy  scriptures, 
and  in  ihe  book  of  common  prayer. 

Voted  imaniinoushj,  That  we  heartily  thank  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Tyler  6nd  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blakeslee,  for  their  very 
excellent,  sens^le  and  correct  letters,  to  the  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Hobart  ,  that  the  statements  and  sentiments 
therein  contained,  ate,  in  our  apprehension,  correct  and 
true,  and  that  we  heartily  and  fully  concur  in  them. 

Sicrmed  by — Andrew  Mann,  Zachariah  Cone,  Commit- 
tee from  St.  Peter's^church  in  Hebron. — Enoch  Baker, 
Peleg  Fry,  Committee  of  St.  George's  church  in  Jewitt 
City. — James  Cook,  Peleg  Rose,  Committee  from  St. 
James'  church  in  Poquatanic. — Jesse  Parkes,  Pascal: 
Cady,  Committee  from  Canterbury. — Uriah  Litchfield, 
Rufus  Fuller,  Committee  from  Hampton. — Benning 
Mann,  Richard  Stroud,  Committee  from  Stafford. — Eli- 
jah House,  John  Townsend,  Committee  from  Andover. 
Seth  Collins,  Ambrose  Collins,  Committee  from  Colum- 
bia.— John  Talcott,  Aaron  Farmer,  Committee  from  Bol- 
ton.    Certified  by  us, 

Andrew  Mann, Moderator  of  the  said  meeting. 
Pascal  Cadv,  Clerk. 
To  the  next  convention,  I  addressed  a  letter,   stating 
that  I  was  solemnly  consecrated  to  the  ministry   of  the 


MEMOIRS.  VJ> 

Gospel,  for  life  ;  that  I  could  truly  say  with  St.  Paul,  I 
Cor.  ix.  16,  "  jVecfssily  is  laiduponme,  ije.a,  woe  is  unto 
me  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel."  I  then  proposed  thar 
they  then  would  appoint  a  committee  of  all  the  cl<Jrgy 
of  the  Episcopal  church  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state, 
with  full  power  to  investigate  and  settle  all  matters  re- 
specting me,  of  every  name  and  nature,  ever  since  I  had 
been  ordained,  that  I  would  tpay  all  the  expense,  and 
that  I  would  give  a  bond,  with  good  and  sufficient  secu- 
rity of  ONE  THOUSAND  DOLLARS,  to  be  well 
and  truly  paid  to  the  said  convention,  if  I  did  not  abide 
by  their  decision. 

To  confess  that  they  had  persecuted  me  for  seventeen 
years,  without  hearing  or  trial,  merely  because  I  was  a 
republican,  and  fully  believed  in  the  equal  rights  of  all 
mankind,  that  there  was  no  civil  authority  in  this  coun- 
try which  was  not  derived  from  the  people,  and  which 
ought  not,  at  short  periods,  to  revert  back  to  them  ;  and 
because  I  was  a  Protestant  Episcopalian  and  did  not  be- 
lieve there  was  any  ecclesiastical  authority  which  was 
not  derived  from  God,  and  must  be  regulated  according 
to  his  word  and  the  canons  of  the  church,  otherwise  it 
was  not  his  authority,  and  was  of  no  force  ;  that  the  civil 
and  ecclesiastical  authorities  were  separate  and  distinct 
fin  their  own  natures,  and  ought  not  to  be  united  ;  that 
aie  religion  established  by  the  civil  law  in  Connecticut, 
was  an  infringement  upon  the  equal  rights  and  privileges 
of  all  the  citizens,  and  was  in  itself  wrong .  To  confess 
all  this,  and  that  they  had  ruined  me  as  a  clergyman, 
without  the  previous  steps  required  by  the  authority  of 
God's  word,  and  the  constitution  and  canons  of  the  church 
contrary  to  the  direction  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  arul 
to  every  principle  of  justice  and  morality — (See  the  de- 
cision of  courts  of  law,  page  30,  and  the  bishop's  pas- 
toral letter  page  62  ;)  To  confess  all  this  they  were  ab- 
solutely ashamed  !  Thcrj  had  injured  me  too  much  ever  h 
jorgivt  me  ;  and  nbt  to  comply  with  these  most  just  and 
most  reasonable  requests,  would  be  unchristian-like  and 
disgraceful.  My  faithfulness  as  a  minister,  and  my 
strict  morality  as  a  man,  were  fully  att^ted  in  everv 
place  where  I  had  resided,  and  by  every  parish  of  which 


76  MEMOIRS. 

I  had  the  charge,  and  acknowledged  by  the  bishop  him- 
self.    I  now  gave  a  challenge  to  investigate  all    matters 
relative  to  me,  and  offered  a  bond   of  ^1000,   with  good 
security,  to  abide  by    it.     The  secretary   announced  to 
the  convention,  in  Bridgeport,  June  1818,  that  he  had 
such   communications.     Neither  the   requests  nor  the 
proposal  was  granted  or  rejected  ;  but  another  plan  was 
in  operation  which  was  designed  to  justify   Bishop   Hohnrt 
and  themselves,  and  xvould  effectually  rid  them  of  all  fur- 
ther trouble  on  the  subject.     This  plan,  it   is   not   claimed 
was  formed  or  known  by  the   convention,  or  by  all  the 
clergy,  but  one  of  them  declared  to  Doct.  Samuel  Simons 
of  Hebron,  that  he  knew  something  which   was  private, 
and  which  he  was  not  at  liberty  to  disclose,   but   which 
would  certainly  drive  me  out  of  Hebron  in  less  than  one 
year.     How  could  he   know  this,   if  it   had  not   been 
agreed  upon  ?  Would  Bishop  Hobart .''  would  the  clergy 
of  Connecticut?  would  any  people  in  the  world,  if  they 
sincerely  loved  God,  and  their  fellow  men  for  his  sake, 
have  treated  any  human  being   as   I   have  been   used? 
Would  they  reject  all  overtures   of  peace   and  reconcil- 
iation?— would  our  blessed  saviour  and  his  apostles  have 
refused  and  neglected  more  than  four  thousand  precious  . 
and  immortal  souls  ?    Would   they   have  conducted   as  \ 
Bishop  Hobart   did   in  Hebron?  a  still  more   dreadful 
plan  was  now  projected. 

My  mind  for  some  years  has  been,  at  times,  greatly 
distressed,  from  an  apprehension  that  the  inward  dispo- 
sition of  my  heart  was  not  right  before  God.  I  could 
not  but  feel  I  was  injured  and  persecuted,  and  a  resent- 
ment would  sometimes  arise.  It  was  and  has  been  for 
more  than  twenty  years  my  custom,  on  each  night,  before 
1  slept,  to  call  myself  to  an  account  before  God,  and  to 
note  down  the  particular  transactions  of  each  day;  and 
it  is  a  fact  that  I  have  not  eat  a  meal,  nor  staid  a  night 
in  my  house,  nor  perfomed  any  ministerial  duty  for  more 
than  twenty  years,  which,  by  turning  to  my  journal,  I 
cannot  tell  when  and  where  it  was. 

"  O  Almighty  and  Everlasting  God,  the  protector  of 
all  that  put  their  trust  in  thee,  without  whom  nothing  is 
strong,  nothing  is  holy,  increase   and  multiply  upon    ni« 


MEMOIRS.  77 

fhv  mercy ;  that  thou  being  my  ruler  and  my  guide,  I 
may  so  pass  through  things  temporal,  that  finally  1  may 
not  lose  the  things  eternal  ;  mgraft  and  continue  in  my 
heart  the  lore  of  thy  name,  increase  in  me  true  religion, 
nourish  me  with  all  goodness,  and  of  thy  great  mercy 
keep  me  in  the  same  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord— 
Amen." 

"  Our  Father  who  art  in  Heaven,  &.c. 


CHAPTER   IX. 
PERSECUTION. 

In  the  year  1816  Bishop  Hobart  was  .nvited  to  tak^ 
Episcopal  charge  of  the  church  in  Connecticut— I  ad 
dressed  a  letter  to  him,  [page  61,]  begging  for  peace 
andfeconcihation.  Irvl817  by  his  direction,  the  Rev. 
Mr  Blakeslee  visited  ray  parishes,  [page  64;!  on  the 
20th  of  August  in  that  year  Bishop  Hobart  came  to  the 
door  of  the  church  in  Hebron,  and  because  I  would  not 
submit  to  an  indignity  in  my  own  parish,  turned  his  back 
upon  more  than  1500  people,  assembled  for  public 
worship,  and  disappointed  more  than  4000  in  the 
neighboring  towns  and  counties.— In  1818  an  Episcopal 
Conference,  in  the  north-east  part  of  Connecticut,  was 
held  in  Windham,  at  which  they  voted  unanimously,  thai 
they  were  perfectly  satisfied  with  m^.— In  1818  I  proposed 
that  a  convention  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Connecti- 
cut should  appoint  a  committee  of  all  the  Episcopal  Cler- 
gymen in  the  eastern  part  of  Connecticut  where  I  lived, 
with  full  power  to  call  the  wardens  and  vestries  and  con- 
gregations together,  of  all  the  parishes  where  I  had  ev- 
er resided  or  preached  and  decide  upon  all  matters  rela- 
ting to  me;  that  i  would  go  with  them  myself,  that  I 
would  pay  all  the  expenses,  and  then  offered  a  bond  of 
^1000,  with  good  and  sufficient  security,  to  be  well  and 
truly  paid  to  said  convention,  if  I  did  not  abide  by  their 
dscision.  But  no!  a  plan  was  known  to  some  of  them 
phieh  was  a  secret,  and  which  they  were  not  at  liberty  to 
7* 


78  MEMOIRS. 

disclose,  and  which  was  kept  from  me  as  the  hour  of 
death ;  but  it  would  certainly  answer  all  their  purposes^ 
and  drive  me  out  of  Hebron  in  less  than  one  yfear 
What  this  plan  could  be  no  one  could  devise.  Imagin- 
ation was  all  alive — something  was  in  contemplation — 
what  could  it  be ?  One  of  Bishop  Hobart's  Clergymen 
from  the  state  of  New- York  came  into  my  neighborhood 
but  did  not  call  upon  me.  He  visited  Dr.  Avery  Down- 
er, in  Preston,  who  was  a  congregational  presbyterian, 
and  who  had  quarrelled  with  almost  all  the  clergy  in  that 
neighborhood,  of  every  denomination,  and  who  then,  and 
never  before  then,  became  my  enemy;  falsely  represen- 
ting me  as  unworthy  and  degraded,  and  that  I  should  not 
preach  there.  He  then  reported,  that  Asenitk  C  Smith, 
a  single  woman,  to  whom  Dr.  George  Dowser,  son  of 
said  Avery  Downer,  had  been  paying  particular  attention 
for  about  two  or  three  years  then  last  past,  had,  the  year 
before,  been  like  to  have  a  child  by  him,  and  had  lost  it; 
and  id^their  plan  was  now  found  to  be  to  induce  her  to 
swear  it  falsely  upon  me. 

After  Bishop  Jarvis  had  fo/bid  me  to  preach  in  Con- 
necticut without  hearing  or  trial,  though  he  declared  he 
had  nothing  against  me;  ihat  my  character  and  authori- 
ty were  good — after  I  bad  appealed  to  the  house  of  Bish- 
ops in  1 804,  and  they  had  referred  the  case  to  the  church 
in  Connecticut  for  trial, — atler  Bishop  Jarvis  had  refu- 
sed that  trial,  and  issued  another  paper  without  granting 
a  trial — after  a  meeting  was  called  in  Stamford  and  the 
church  in  that  place  had  protested  against  the  proceed- 
ings of  Bishop  Jarvis,  and  voted  to  pay  me  at  the  rate 
of^558ayear  during  my  natural  life,  any  order,  fle- 
termination  or  decree  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding — 
after  I  had  been  sued  nine  times  for  the  same  supposed 
trespasses,  in  going  into  my  own  church  and  performing 
ministerial  duties,  and  they  never  had  recovered  from  me 
so  much  as  one  cent,  nor  proved  any  thing  against  my 
conduct  or  character,  though  they  ransacked  the  most 
private  passages  of  my  whole  life,  and  that  with  the  most 
malicious  intentions,  for  almost  eight  years — after  I  had 
sued  their  party  for  harrassing  and  distressmg  me  with 
rexatious  and  unreasonable  law-suits,  and  had  recovered 


MEMOIRS.  10 

a   veidict  of  ^600  against  them,  before  the    Superior 
Court  in  Fairfield — after  I  had  appealed  to  the  General 
Convention  in  Baltimore,  and  the  House  of  Bishops  h^d 
revoked  and  declared  void,  and  of  no  force,  all  the  proceed- 
ings of  said  Jarvis  in  this   case — after  I  had  made  the 
most  conciliatory  overtures  of  peace  and   reconciliation 
to  Bishop  Hobart,  who  sent  the  Rev.  Mr,  Blakeslee  to 
visit  my  parishes,   and  had  received  the  most   favorable 
report;  and  then   disappointed  and   abused   more   than 
4000  precious   and  immortal  souls  in  the  north-eastern 
part  of  Connecticut — after  I  had  been  persecuted,  insul- 
ted and  abused  for  almost  twenty  years  by  Bishop  Jarvis 
and  his  party  in   Connecticut;  who  could   get   nothing 
against  me,  my  character  and  authority  were  good,  my 
people  tvere  perfecfbj  satisfied  with  me,   and  had  used  all 
lawful  and  prudent   means  to  promote   unity,  peace  and 
prosperity  in  the   Episcopal  church,  and  I  had  offered  a 
bond  of  ^1000,  with  good  and  sufficient   security,  to  be 
well  and  truly  paid  to  them,  if  1  did  not  submit  to  their 
decision — yet  all  this  ivould  avail  them   nothing  so  long  as 
they  could  see  Mordecai   the  Jew  sitting  at  the  king^s  gate. 
Nothing  but  perjury!  the  most  dreadful  the  most  heaven- 
daring  perjury  and  subornation  of  perjury!  could   effect 
a  purpose  so  unspeakably  wicked,   and  which  for  almost 
twenty   years   they  had  in  vain  been  striving  to  accom- 
plish.    Col.  Jeremiah  Halsey,  Doct.  Avery  Downer, 
of  Preston,  and  James  Lanman,   Esq.  of  Norwich,  who 
had  been  one  of  the  most  violent  federal  congregational 
presbyterians  in  Connecticut,  and  was   my  personal,  po- 
litical, and  religious  enemy,  and  of  whom   the   Rev.  Dr. 
Tyler  declared  to  me,  that  he  never  had  known  any  man 
in  Norwich,  who  had  discovered  such  an  unfriendly  per- 
secuting spirit  against  the   Episcopal  church    as  he  had 
were  the  persons  engaged  in  this  dreadful  project. 

This  really  is  one  of  the  most  abominable  conspiracies 
Uiat  ever  was  formed  against  any  ma7i  in  any  country. 
And  it  certainly  is  promoting  truth  and  justice;  and  it 
is  suppressing  perjury,  wickedness  and  vice  to  expose  it 
to  public  animadversion  and  contempt.  My  religion,  my 
principles,  and  inclination,  forbid  me  to  speak  evil  of  any 
QAe,  any  further  forth  than  a  sacred  regard  to  truth  and 


i80  MEMOIRS. 

jus'ice  compel  me.  How  muchsoever  I  may  have  done 
and  suffered  for  the  Episcopal  church,  and  how  muchso- 
ever I  believe  the  authority,  admire  the  doctrine,  and  love 
the  worship  of  God  in  that  church,  and  how  rehictant  so- 
ever I  may  feel  in  exposing  the  real  faults  of  my  brethren, 
whoiare  of  the  clergy  in  this  case,  yet  to  be  silent  would 
be  upholding  perjury,  subornation  of  perjury,  and  the 
highest  injustice  to  myself,  to  my  children  and  friends, 
and  to  the  church  of  Christ.  So  soon  as  this  PLAN 
was  known,  the  church  in  Jewitt  City  appointed  Messrs, 
Enoch  Baker  and  Peleg  Fry;  and  the  church  in  Po- 
quatanic  appointed  James  Cook,  Esq.  and  Mr.  Peleg 
Rose,  a  committee  to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  this  report. 
They  went  in  person  to  the  house  at  different  times, 
where  the  crimes  were  said  to  have  been  committed, 
and  made  diligent  and  fuli  inquiry  and  examination,  of 
the  said  Asenath,  of  her  mother  and  sister,  and  grand- 
father, with  whom  they  lived;  and  of  Perry  Clark  and 
his  wife  and  family  who  lived  in  the  same  house  with 
them,  and  also  of  the  neighbors,  and  they  found  the 
whole  story,  as  it  is  related  to  me,  to  be  a  palpable 
FALSEHOOD,  and  they  so  reported,  and  the  report  was  ac- 
cepted by  the  churches. 

Downer,  Halsey  and  Lanman,  being  thus  foiled  in 
their  plan,  resolved  upon  one  expedient  more,  and  that 
was  to  frighten  and  compel  her  to  swear  her  supposed 
child,  not  upon  Doct.  George  Downer,  but  upon  me;  and 
for  this  Halsey  entered  a  complaint  against  her,  before 
a  federal  presbyterian  justice,  of  their  party  ;  and  m 
duced  Doct.  E.  B.  Downing,  of  the  same  class,  to  swear 
that  he  had  some  time  the  year  before  delivered  her  of  a 
dead  child. — Halsey  and  Downer  then  threatened  her, 
if  she  did  not  swear  it,  not  upon  George,  but  upon  me, 
she  would  be  whipped  at  the  public  post — that  she  would 
be  stripped  stark  naked,  and  sit  upon  the  gallows  with  a 
rope  about  her  neck,  &c. — The  poor  girl  was  frightened 
almost  to  deatli,  and  privately  \ett  the  town  and  county. 
During  all  this  time  1  was  in  Hebron,  a  distance  of  about 
SO  miles,  had  heard  nothing  of  it,  and  knew  nothing  of 
it  ;  but  on  my  return  to  Preston,  I  was  informed  by 
James  Cook  Esq,  what  had  been  done.     I  then   called 


.JViEMOIRS.  81 

upon  her  mother  who  informed  me  where  she  was;  I  went 
there  and  she  then  confessed  to  me  the  whole  story,  viz. 
"  That  she  had  for  two  or  three  years  then  last  past,  kept 
private  company  with  Dr.  George  Downer,  that  he  had 
promised,  and  she  expected  to  marry  him — that  on  the 
first  day  of  July,  1817,  she  became  like  to  have  a  child 
by  him,  that  he  went  away  to  Ohio  and  left  her,  that  she 
had  been  sick  and  infirm  and  had  lost  it  ;  and  that  Cci. 
Halsey  and  old  Dr.  Downer  had  tried  every  method  in 
their  power  to  induce  her  to  swear  it  falsely  upon  me, 
that  she  was  determined  not  to  do  it,  and  for  that  reason 
had  left  the  county."  She  then  gave  her  deposition  to 
that  amount,  dated  in  Hampton,  May  28,  1818,  and  went 
to  her  uncles  in  Mass.  She  then  wrote  to  James  Cook, 
Esq.  dated  August  6th,  1818.  "  That  slje  never  had 
known  any  thing  in  my  conduct  unbecoming  the  gentle- 
man, the  christian  or  the  clergyman,  and  that  I  was  no 
way  justly  liable  to  reproach  in  any  of  those  matters 
which  some  people  had  lain  to  my  charge  respecting  her, 
and,  says  she,  "  I  think  it  no  more  than  fair  to  clear  him 
of  every  thing  of  every  name  and  nature  wKch  can  in- 
volve him  on  my  account.^ 

AsENATH  C.  Smith."  ■!■ 
In  the  month  of  March  or  April  1819,  Asenath  C. 
Smith  returned  to  Griswold — her  mother  for  many  months 
had  been  sick  with  a  hectic  fever,  which  is  a  family  com- 
plaint, and  soon  after  died.  Dr.  Avery  Downer  Avas 
their  family  physician,  was  very  unfriendly  to  me,  and 
by  misrepresentations  had  made  them  believe  that  I  was 
their  enemy,  and  would  do  them  all  the  hurt  I  could. 
Maria  was  willing  to  go  all  lengths — he  had  made  them 
believe,  that  Halsey  and  Lanman  and  he,  did  not  want 
to  hurt  them,  but  to  drive  me  out  of  the  state  and  out 
ci'  the  ministry,  and  then  was  the  time  for  them  to  make 
their  fortunes. — Mr.  Lanman  would  get  from  me  every 
cent  of  property  that  I  was  worth  in  the  world,  and  they 
should  have  it,  and  it  never  should  cost  them  any  thing, 
nor  hurt  them  ;  and  that  it  would  be  the  most  for  their 
honor  of  any  thing  they  could  do,  for  the  Bishop  and  all 

t  Was  titere  ever  before,  euch  an  infamous  plao  !  or  eucli  a  kci  rid  pesie- 
:ution  I  ! 


■82  MEMOIRS. 

his  friends,  and  all  the  presbyterians  and  baptists    would 
immediately  take  their   part   and    become  their  friends, 
and  they  would  be  more  respected  and  have  more  friends 
than  they  ever  had  in  the  world,  or  than  any  other   girls 
in  town.     Soon  after  this,  Col.  Halsey  and  Dr.  Downer 
came  there  and  staid  all  night  for   the  purpose   of  get- 
ting the  said  Asenath  to  swear  her  supposed  child  upon 
me,  which  she  had  before  justly  and  truly  charged  upon 
the   son   of   the    said   Downer.     They    took   her   into 
a   private     bedroom   alone,    and    talked   to    her,     they 
said,  a.s  friends,  and  urged  and  coaxed  and  flattered,  and 
staid  all  night,  and  promised  her  riches,  h«nor,  protection^ 
secrecy  ,ind  safety,   if  she    would    swear  to   what  they 
would  tell  her.     At   length  she  consented,   and    in  the 
morning  Col.  Halsey  dictated  the  story  which  they   had 
agreed  upon — Dr.  Downer  wrote  it  and  she  made   oath 
to  it.     Soon  after  this,  within  a  few    days,  Mr.    Lanman 
came  there,  about  eight  miles,  at  about  2  o'clock  P.    M. 
took  the  said  Asenath  into  their  east  chamber  alone,  and 
remained  there  until  about   nine  or  ten  o'clock  at  night. 
She  says,  that  he  put  his  arms  around  her,  and  hugged 
her,  and  kissed  her,  &c.  and  promised  her   the   same   as 
Halsey  and  Downer  had  done  before — that  he  said  if   I^ 
prosecuted  her  for   perjury  it    must   come   through   his 
hands  as  state's  attorney,  and  he  would  pledge  his  honor 
and  the  honor  of  the  whole  state  that   he  would  stop   it. 
She  says  that  she  told  him   that  she    could  not    in   cor>- 
science  testify  as  she  had  done  before  Halsey  and  Dow- 
ner, for  it  was  not  true — then  he  told  her  she  could  and  it 
never  should  hurt  her  ;  that  she  need  not  and  should  not 
be  called  upon  to  testify  publicly  but  only  before  a  Justice 
and  a  few  friends,  and  that  it  would  be  the  best  and  most 
honorable  thing  that  she  had  ever  done  in  her   life — tlis 
most  for  her  honor  and  interest  and  for  that   of  her  fami- 

Col.  Halsey  was  an  old  experienced  lawyer  and  knew 
■what  would  do  and  how  to  contrive.  Dr.  Downer  was 
a  learned,  sensible  man,  a  noted  physician,  and  much 
looked  up  to.  Bishop  Hobart  had  neglected  me  and 
ray  parishes, — a  hue  and  cry  was  raised — the  congregar 
tional  federalists  considered  me  their  political  and   reii- 


MEMOIRS  8S 

gious  enemy — I  had  built  up  an  Episcopal  Church 
among  them  where  the  service  had  never  been  performed 
before, — their  cause  was  falling,  jealousy  and  animosity 
were  on  the  alert — Halsey  had  pledged  his  life  and  hi^ 
honor  to  Asenath  and  Maria,  {and  it  was  done  before 
wiintsses)  that  it  never  should  hurt  them  or  cost  them 
any  thing — Mr.  Lanmaa  was  a  great  beau,  a  senator  of 
the  United  States,  a  Connecticut  State's  Attorney,  he 
bad  been  there,  eight  miles  on  purpose  to  see  them,  had 
been  shut  up  alone  v/ith  Asenath  from  two  o'clock  in  the 
aftarnoon  till  nine  or  ten  o'clock  at  night,  he  had  put 
his  arms  around  her,  and  hugged  her  and  kissed  her,  {he 
Was  a  widower)  and  promised  her  riches,  honor,  friend- 
ship, protection  and  even  secrecy  if  she  would  swear 
these  vhings  upon  me — she  says  she  told  him  that  they 
were  noitrue  and  she  could  not  in  conscience  swear  to 
them  ;  thtn  he  told  her  she  could  and  it  never  should 
hurt  her.  Mr.  Perry  Clark,  her  uncle,  was  called  in 
to  hear  the  p'lomisea  if  she  would  swear  against  me,  and 
all  this  is  solemnly  sworn  to  by  their  own  wittnesses. 
Now  let  any  young  woman,  like  Asenath  C.  Smith,  be 
courted  for  two  or  three  years  by  a  respectable  young 
physician — let  her  meet  with  a  misfortune  and  have  it 
known  and  sworn  to — let  such  men  as  Col.  Halsey,  no- 
tsdfor  his  intrigues  among  women— lei  such  a  man  as  Dr. 
Downer,  who  was  then  of  respectable  standing  in  socie- 
ty, of  great  art,  intrigue  and  affability — let  such  a  ruaa 
,  as  James  Lanman,  a  Senator  of  the  United  States,  a 
noted  lawyer.  State's  Attorney,  a  federal  presbyterian 
church  member,B.  very  handsome  young  widower,  very 
dressy,  very  gay,  let  three  such  men  try  their  skill  upon 
such  a  poor  fatherless  girl  as  Asenath  C.  Smith,  let  them 
engage  her  unprincipled  sister  Maria  to  assist  them,  and 
who  can  tell  what  they  might  not  induce  her  to  say  or  do? 
What  might  they  not  induce  her  to  testify  ?  During  all 
this  time  I  was  in  Hebron,  a  distance  of  30miles,had  not 
heard  that  she  had  returned — was  wholly  ignorant  of 
what  was  going  on — and  had  no  more  thought  they  , 
would  bring  a  charge  against  me  for  committing  a  crime 
with  her  than  any  other  person  in  the  world.— The  whole 
plan  was  kept  from  me  a  profound  secret  until  I  canie  to  Po- 


■M  MEMOIRS. 

quatanic  on  my  regular  business,  when  I  was  informed 
that  some  plan  was  in  motion  relative  to  me  and  Asenath 
C.  Smith,  and  Mr.  Lanman  was  engaged  in  the  busi- 
ness, I  soon  called  him  and  found  him  hostile  to  a  degree, 
that  the  whole  plan  was  matured,  cut,  dried,  prepared, 
and  I  was  arrested. — In  vain  did  I  expostulate — in  vain 
did  I  refer  him  to  the  investigation  of  the  churches  in 
that  neighborhood — to  the  report  of  the  committees,  to 
the  documents  in  my  possession — in  vain  did  I  urge  him 
to  delay  the  time  until  I  could  furnish  him  with  satisfac- 
tory evidence  of  my  innocence — no  !  the  deadly  blow 
wa3  aimed — the  whole  plan  was  contrived  and  matured, 
little  did  I  think  or  know  that  Halsey  and  Downer  had 
been  to  see  Asenath  and  staid  all  night,  and  that  Lanman 
had  been  shut  alone  with  her  from  two  o'clock  P  M.  till 
ten  o'clock  at  night — that  Halsey  had  contrived  r-nd 
dictated  the  story  which  they  wished  her  to  testify — that 
Downer  had  written  it  and  that  Lanman  a-nd  they  had 
coaxed  and  flattered  and  hired  her  to  sW':Jar  to  it.  But 
Lanman  now  told  me  plainly  that  I  luiddone  ^nore  injury 
to  the  presbyterian  establishment  of  Connecticut  than  any 
man  he  evar  knew,  and  that  he  was  dete'iinined  to  drive  me 
Old  of  the  ministry  and  out  of  the  state.  It  was  not  be- 
cause I  had  committed  any  crime  with  Asenath  C.  Smith 
or  with  any  body  else,  but  because  I  had  oppossed  the 
federal  presbyterian  party  in  Connecticut,  opposed  to 
I'fteir  taxing  every  body  without  their  consent. 

I  acknowledged  service,  procured  bail,  agreed  upon  a 
day  for  a  Court  of  Inquiry.  The  information  was 
brought  before  Farwel  Coit,Esq.  own  cousin  of  Lan- 
man, and  was  never  known  to  decide  a  case  against 
him  or  his  wishes. — He  was  a  warm  federal  presbyteri- 
an and  particularly  unfriendly  to  me  for  having  estab- 
lished an  Episcopal  church  in  Jewitt  City,  among  his 
connections.  And  most  of  them  had  turned  Episcopali- 
ans. The  29th  day  of  April,  1819,  was  the  day  agreed 
upon  for  their  inquiry,  and  the  place  was  Joseph  R.  Wil- 
loughby's  tavern  in  ^Norwich  Landing — and  I  had  about 
10  days  to  prepare.  Here  is  the  most  dreadful  plot,  plan, 
stratagem  and  conspiracy,  that  e'er  was  formed  against 
?jiy  man  in  any  country. — Aft«r  depriving  me   of  ray 


MEMOllJS.  85 

just  rights  and  privileges  without  hearing  or   trial,    after 
harrassing     and  distressing  me    in   law  for  almost  20 
years  without  even  a  probable  cause   of  action,   after   I 
iiif\  recovered  a  verdict  of  ^600,  against  them  for  vex- 
U'-'us  law  suits — after  having  caused  me  to  travel  over 
\  great  part  of  the  United  States,  at  great  pains  and  ex- 
lense,  in  my  own   defence — after  having   been    refused 
jvery  overture  of  peace  and  reconciliation — after   Bish- 
jp  Hobart  had,   on   my    account,    insulted   and  abused 
more  than  4000  people  in  the  eastern  part  of  Connecticut, 
a  conspiracy  was  formed,  a  secret  plan  was  devised,  and  I 
v/as  to  be  driven   out  of  Hebron  in  less  than  one  year. 
Ministers  of  the  gospel  and  officers  of  public  justice  were 
in  array  against  me — shall  I  like    St.    Peter,   draw   the 
sword  }  Shall  I  like  the  Vicar   of  Wakefield,  take   my 
bible  in  one  hand,  my  gun  in  the  other  and  demand  jus- 
tice or  death  ?  Shall  I  like  St.  Stephen,  pray  for  my  per- 
secutors and  murderers  ;  cr  shall  1  like  my  blessed  Sav- 
iour, open  not   my  mouth   to  them  .''  O,  Almighty   and 
most  merciful  God,  be  pleased,  I  beseech  thee,  to  direct 
and  assist  me  in  all  my  doing's,  and  in  all  w.y  sufTerings, 
with  thy  most  gracious  favoar  ;  give  me  all  Euch   things 
as  are  necessary  and  profitable  to  me  ;  defend  me  from 
all  such  things  as  are  hurtful  either  to  my  b  oy  or  to  my 
soul  ;  and  finally,  by  thy  r.icrcy,  receive   me   into   ever- 
lasting life  through  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord,  vv^ho  hath  mer- 
cifully taught  and  exoressl/  commanded  r  -^  and  all    oth- 
ers, that  when  v.'e  did  pray  we  should  say,   Our  Father, 
who  art  in  Heaven,  Stc. 


CHAPTER  X. 

COURT  OF  INQUIRY  IJy  NORWICH,  CO.Y- 

JVji;  <J  Tl  3  ^JT,  XPh IL,  29th,  18/9. 

Present—'  ''"'■       ''■  Justice   of  Ha    '"    '  ^^* 


86  MEMOIRS. 

/,  Ammi  Rogers,  was  called  and  answered. 

Mr.  Lanman  then  read  his  complaint  against  me,  which 
w  as  couched  in  language  so  very  obscene  and  offensive 
that  I  am  absolutely  ashamed  to  repeat  it,  but  was  well 
calculated  to  sour  and  prejudice  the  minds  of  the  public 
qgainst  me  before  I  was  heard — nay,  in  the  minds  of 
*he  federal  presbyterian  establishment  in  Connecticut,  I 
'^lught  to  be  condemned  right  or  wrong.  The  crimes 
liliarged  upon  me  were, 

1st.  That  I  had  in  the  town  of  Griswold,  county  of 
]Vew-London,  and  state  of  Connecticut,  on  the  first  day 
of  July  1817,  committed  a  crime  with  Asenath  Caroline 
Smith,  a  single  unmarried  woman,  of  that  town,  by  which 
.she  did  then  and  there  become  like  to  have  a  child  by 
me.  And  2d,  That  she  had,  by  the  use  of  means  used 
with  her  by  me,  lost  that  said  child. 

To  these  charges  I  pleaded  not  guilty  either  in  whole 
or  in  any  part. 

Calvin  Goddard  Esq.  one  of  the  noted  Hartford  Con- 
vention men,  a  strong  federal  congregational  presbyteri- 
an, and  who  was  strongly  opposed  to  me  in  politics  and 
religion  ;  but  who,  I  charitably  hoped,  would  not  betray 
;he  cause  of  his  client — and  Jacob  B.  Gurley  Esq.  of 
:\  ew-London  were  my  counsel.  They  informed  me  that 
iny  attempt  to  counteract  any  complaint  of  that  kind 
orought  by  James  Lanman  before  his  cousin  Farwel 
Coit  Esq.  would  be  absolutely  unavailing  ;  but  that  it 
might  be  vvell  to  know  their  testimony  and  prepare  for  a 
trial  before  the  Superior  Court. 

fVitnesses  on  the  part  of  the  prosecution. 

Jlsenath  Caroline  Smith,  was  the  first  witness  called 
and  sworn  with  her  sister  and  others.  She  testified  that 
the  charges  just  read  by  Mr.  Lanman  against  me  were 
true,  and  then  stated  the  circumstances. — But  afterwards 
|she  confessed  that  the  whole  story  was  false — that  it  was 
(contrived  and  made  up  by  Col.  Halsey,  Dr.  Downer,  and 
■James  Lanman — that  one  of  them  dictated  it,  the  other 
|wrote  it,  and  that  they   and  James  Lannjan  had  over-, 


:iEMOIRS.  87 

persuaded  and  hired  her  to  swear  to  it,  and  that  it  was 
not  true  and  they  knew  it  !! 

Maua  Jl.  Smt//i,  the  supposed  sister  of  the  said  Ase- 
nath,  was  the  next  witness.  She  said  that  I  had  courted 
her  sister,  and  she  expected  I  would  marry  her — that  I 
came  there  on  a  certain  night,  at  a  late  hour  and  advised 
her  sister  to  run  away,  and  that  on  the  next  day  Andrev/ 
Clark  carried  her  away,  &c. — (She  afterwards  made  oath 
before  Dennison  Palmer  Esq.  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
that  her  whole  testimony  before  Esq.  Coit  at  t'his  time, 
was  contrived  and  made  up  by  Col.  Halsey,  Dr.  Down- 
er, and  James  T.anman — that  it  was  entirely  false  and 
they  knew  it,  but  that  they  had  been  over-persuaded  and 
hired  to  come  there  and  swear  to  it.) 

Dr.  E.  B.  Downing  was  the  next  witness.  He  testi- 
fied that  he  had  at  some  time  in  Griswold,  delivered 
Asenath  C.  Smith  of  a  dead  child —  that  it  was  so  putre- 
fied that  he  could  give  no  account  of  it,  and  that  it  was 
immediately  destroyed — that  he  saw  no  mark  of  violence 
upon  it,  and  that  it  niight  have  been  produced  by  sick- 
ness, infirmity  or  accident — that  he  did' not  hear  my 
name  mentioned,  and  that  he  did  not  know  that  I  was  in 
that  part  of  the  state  at  that  time — He  was  of  the  Lanman 
party,  a  violent  federal  presbyterian,  and  would  have  been 
tcilling  to  have  me  destroyed  right  or  tcrong. 

Samuel  Wheeler,  a  negro  boy,  testified  that  one  mor- 
ning, at  sun  about  half  an  hour  high,  he  was  sent  to  Mr. 
Clark's  to  borrow  a  bag,  that  they  sent  him  up  stairs- — 
that  he  looked  through  the  crack  of  a  door  and  saw 
Asenath  and  me  in  bed  together.  Question  by  Mr.  God- 
dard. — Did  you  go  into  the  chamber?  Answer — No.  Q. 
Were  they  covered  up  in  bed?  A.  Yes.  Q.  How  far 
was  the  bed  from  the  door?  A.  Clear  across  the  cham- 
ber. Q.  Was  it  a  large  chamber?  A.  It  was.  Thi3 
same  negro  has  since  justly  suffered  two  year's  impris- 
onment in  Newgate  state  prison  at  Simsbury  Mines  for 
breaking  open  a  store  and  stealing  in  North  Stonington, 
Con.  He  was  a  suitable  witness  to  be  employed  in  Ihi^  case 
6y  Halsey,  Lanman  and  Downer  ■  "birds  of  a  feather 
will  flock  together."  Mr.  Clark  testified  that  the  said 
negro  was  brought  up   within  about  40  rods  of  him,  that 


88  MEMOIRS, 

he  always  considered  him  to  be  a  most  notorious  liar  and 
a  thief;  that  he  had  no  knowledge  of  having  sent  any 
one  into  his  chamber,  at  any  time,  after  a  bag;  for  that 
he  always  kept  his  bags,  not  in  his  chamber,  but  in  his 
corn  house;  and  that  he  thought  no  confidence  ought  to 
be  placed  in  his  testimony. 

Elisha  Geer,  grand-father  of  the  said  Asenath,  was 
the  next  witness.  He  testified  that  he  lost  his  wife  by 
death,  that  I  preached  a  sermon  at  his  house  on  the  oc- 
casion— that  afterwards  he  lost  his  only  son  and  I  preach- 
ed a  sermon  on  that  occasion  also — that  he  pastured  my 
horse  when  I  was  in  Jewitt  City,  and  I  was  frequently 
(here;  but  as  for  the  crimes  now  charged  upon  me  he 
never  knew  any  thing  about  them,  nor  heard  any  thing 
about  them  till  very  lately — about  two  years  after  they 
were  said  to  have  been  committed. 

Mr.  Perry  Clark  and  his  wife,  testified  that  they  lived 
in  the  same  house  v/ith  Asenath,  that  they  never  knew 
or  heard  of  the  crime  now  charged  upon  me  until  short- 
ly before  that  time — that  is  two  years  after  when  Col. 
Halsey  and  Dr.  Downer  came  there  and  staid  all  night. 

Welcome  A.  Browning  and  Wife,  testified  that  they  liv- 
ed near  neighbors  to  the  said  Asenath — that  they  never 
knew  nor  heard  any  thing  of  the  charges  now  brought 
against  me  until  within  a  short  time — that  the  black  fel- 
low who  testified  was  a  poor,  mean,  lying  thievish  negrc 
and  that  they  could  not  believe  him  when  he  was  sent 
on  a  common  errand,  and  that  they  placed  no  confidence 
in  his  story — he  was  their  negro  and  lived  with  them. 

Some  of  the  Brewsters  and  the  Widow  Lester,  strong  fed- 
eral presbyterians,  testified  that  they  lived  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  said  Asenath  and  Maria,  that  they  knew 
nothing  against  their  character  as  to  truth  and  veracity, 
(but  on  trial  I  was  informed  that  they  refused  to  testify 
any  such  thing,  and  on  that  account  they  were  not  sub- 
poenied.) 

Witnesses  on  the  part  of  the  accused. 

James  Cook,  Esq.  was  the  first  witness.  He  is  a  man 
who  is  one  of  the  first  as  to    character   and  standing  m 


MEMOIRS.  8» 

.hat  part  of  the  country;  the  first  select  man  of  the  town 
of  Preston,  often  a  member  of  the  Legislature  from  that 
town,  a  justice  of  the  peace,  &.c.  Stc  He  testified  that 
Mr.  Peleg  Rose  and  he  were  a  committee  appointed  by 
and  in  behalf  of  the  church  in  PoquEltanic  to  inquire 
into  the  truth  of  the  reports,  which  are  now  char- 
ges against  Mr.  Rogers,  that  they  went  to  the  house  of 
Mr.  Elisha  Geer,  where  the  young  woman  resided,  and 
made  diligent  inquiry  and  full  examination  of  the  said 
A.senath,  of  her  mother  and  sister  and  grandfather — that 
hey  all  declared  that  the  reports  were  wholly  false  and 
nalicious,  that  Mr.  Rogers  had  never  kept  private  com- 
pany with  Asenath,  that  they  never  had  reason  to  think 
that  he  intended  to  marry  her,  that  he  never  had  conduc- 
ted any  way  improperly  there,  that  they  knew  nothing 
and  could  say  nothing  against  him,  and  that  the  whole 
story  was  a  lie  ;  that  he  then  wrote  and  they  signed  the 
following  certificate,*  that  they  then  called  on  Welcome 
A.  Browning  and  wife,  stated  their  business  and  made 
diligent  inquiry  of  them,  who  declared  that  they  knew 
lothing  and  had  heard  nothing  of  the  reports,  that  Mr. 
Rogers  always  appeared  like  a  gentleman  and  acted  like 
i  gentleman,  and  that  they  could  say  nothing  against 
lim — that  they  then  went  to  Mr.  Ebenezer  Clark's  and 
stated  their  business  to  them  and  made  diligent  inquiry 
and  could  find  nothing  against  Mr.  Rogers — that  they 
then  returned  and  reported  to  the  Church  that  they  had 
been  in  person  to  the  place  where  the  ill  conduct  was 
said  to  have  taken  place,  that  they  had  diligently  inquired 
of  the  person  implicated,  and  of  all  the  family,  and  of  the 
neighbors,  and  that  they  found  the  charges  now  against 
Mr.  Rogers  to  be  wholly  false  and  that  they  ought  not 
lobe  regarded,  and  their  report  was  unanimously  accepted 

hy  the  churches.  

*Grisy>o/d,  January  bth,  1818. — We  the  subscribers,  hereby  certify, 
that  the  Re?.  Ammi  Rogers  has  occasionally  visited  our  family  two  or  thre^ 
years  past;  whei.  we  had  sickness  and  death  in  the  house  and  at  otlier  times; 
that  we  have  always  <:onsidered  him  a  worthy  gentleman,  an  exemplary  man, 
a  faithful  good  Clergyman,  and  not  justly  liable  to  reproach  for  any  impro- 
priety of  conduct — signed  by  Asenath  C.  ^mixh,  the  principal  witness.  An- 
na  Smith  her  mother,  Maria  A.  Smith,  her  sister,  Elisha  Geer,  her  grand- 
father. Perry  Clark,  her  uncle,  Sophia  Clark,  her  aunt,  Lester  Clark,  her 
<:ousin,  all  residing  ia  tlie  house  with  lier. 
8* 


30  MEMOIRS. 

Mr.  Pcleg  Rose,  the  next  witness  was  a  very  respec- 
table man,  one  of  the  vestry  of  St.  James'  Church  in 
Poquatanic,  and  a  committee  to  go  with  James  Cook 
Esq.  to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  the  charges  now  against 
me,  testified  that  tie  did  go  with  said  Cook  and  that  the 
facts  were  as  he  had  stated  Ihem,  and  that  from  said  in- 
quiry he  was  fully  satisfied  that  the  charges  against  me 
were  utterly  and  absolutely  false  and  ought  not  to  be  re- 
garded. 

Mrs.  Prisctlla  Cook,  wife  of  James  Cook,  Esq,  is  a 
very  respectable  woman,  a  professor  of  religion,  and 
would  be  an  ornament  in  any  christian  church,  testified 
that  from  her  own  personal  knowledge,  and  other  circum- 
stances, she  had  no  reason  to  believe,  and  did  not  be- 
lieve that  the  testimony  of  Maria  A.  Smith  then  given  in 
court  was  true,  and  stated  wherein  it  was  not  true. 

Mr.  Enoch  Baker,  is  one  of  the  vestrymen  of  St . 
George's  Church  in  Jewitt  City,  a  very  respectable  man 
and  as  much  to  be  believed  as  any  other  man  m  town, 
tesfied  that  a  report  was  put  in  circulation,  as  near  as  he 
could  find  out,  by  Col.  Halsey  and  Dr.  Downer,  that 
Asenath  C.  Smith,  who  resided  within  about  one  mile  of 
Jewitt  City,  had  been  like  to  have  a  child  by  Mr.  Rogers 
and  had  lost  it  by  his  means,  that  a  meeting  of  the  war- 
dens and  vestry  of  the  church  in  Jewitt  City  was  called  to 
inquire  into  the  truth  of  this  report,  that  Mr.  Peleg  Fry 
and  he  were  appointed  a  committee  for  that  purpose,  that 
they  went  in  person  to  the  house  where  she  resided  and 
made  full  and  fair  examination,  and  inquiry  of  her,  of 
her  mother  and  grandfather,  and  of  Mr  Perry  Clark  and 
iiis  wife,  and  of  his  neighbors,  and  that  they  found  the 
reports,  now  charged  against  Mr.  Rogers,  to  be  wholly 
false  and  malicious  and  ought  not  to  be  regarded,  and  they 
so  reported  to  the  church  and  it  was  by  ihem  unanimous- 
ly accepted. 

Question  by  Mr.    Lanman.     Did  Mr.    Rogers  go  with 
you  when  you  made  this  inq'i!r_y  ? 

Jlnsxver.     He  did  not,  nor  Jo  I  know  «^>r   believe  that 
he  was  at  that  time  in  this  parf;  of  the  state,  or  had  ever 
been  informed  of  what  was  trojv'/];  on 
Mr.  Peleg  Fnj,  is  also  one  of  the  vestry  of  St.  George's 


MEMOIRS.  91 

church  in  Jewitt  City,  is  a  respectable  man  and  as  much 
to  be  believed  as  any  other  man,  testified,  that  he  was  a 
committee  with  Mr.  Baker,  that  he  went  with  him,  that 
his  statement  was  true,  and  that  he  had  no  knowledge 
or  belief  that  Mr.  Rogers  was  in  that  part  of  the  state, 
or  knew  any  thing  of  it. 

The  foUoxoing  documents  xoere  then  read  and  delivered 
lo  the  justice  and  Lanmau,  as  evidence  in  the  case,  by  con- 
sent oj   counsel. 

1st.  The  deposition  of  the  said  Asenath  wherein  she 
did,  the  year  before,  make  solemn  oath,  that  for  two  or 
three  years  last  past,  she  had  kept  private  company  with 
Dr.  George  Downer,  that  in  hope  and  expectation  of  be- 
ing married  to  him,  she  did  on  that  very  first  day  of  July 

1817,  become  like  to  have  a  child  by  him,  and  that  she 
lost  it  by  sickness,  infirmity,  &c, 

2d.  The  certificate  of  EHsha  Geer  and  family,  and 
of  Perry  Clark  and  family,  in  which,  the  year  after  she 
was  said  to  have  been  delivered  of  the  supposed  child, 
they  cleared  me  of  th«se  charges,  or  of  any  other  impro- 
priety of  conduct. 

3d.     The  letter  o''the  said  Asenath,  dated  August  6th, 

1818,  to  James  Cfok,  Esq.  in  which  she  says,  whatever 
misfortunes  may  have  befallen  her,  they  are  not  justly 
chargeable  to  Wc  •  Rogers. 

4th.  The  cfftificate  containing  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee of  St.  George's  churcli,  in  Jewitt  City  ;  that 
they  had  beei  in  person  to  the  house  of  Elisha  Geer,  &c. 
the  same  a?Mr.  Baker,  and  Mr.  Fry  now  testified. 

5th.  The  unanimous  vote  of  the  wardens  and  vestry- 
men of  S-  George's  church,  accepting  and  approving  of 
the  said  report. 

6th.  The  deposition  of  Capt.  Thomas  Miller,  in 
whichne  testified  that  he  heard  Ebenezer  Lathman 
aorree  with  Mr.  Rogers  to  be  in  Jewitt  City  about  the 
last  jf  October,  1817,  and  to  bid  off  some  of  his  proper- 
ty, ivhich  was  to  be  sold  at  auction. 

Uh.  Tlie  deposition  of  Curtis  Hickox,  Esq.  in  which 
hi  testified,  that  on  that  very  first  day  of  July,  1817, 
when  I  was  accused  of  committing  that  crime  in  Gris- 
wold,  I  was  at  his  house  in    Washington,   one   hundred 


02  MEMOIRS. 

miles  from  Gnswold,  that  he  then  and  there  paid  me  ^40, 
in  money,  and  took  my  receipt  in  full, dated  at  his  house, 
one  hundred  niiles  from  Griswold,  on  that  very  first  day 
of  July,  1817. 

8th.  The  deposition  of  Dr.  Wells  Beardslee,  in 
which  he  testified  that  I  was  in  Kent,  (near  Washington,) 
one  hundred  miles  from  Griswold,  on  the  first  day  of 
July,  1817,  and  for  some  time  before,  and  that  I  was  not 
in  Griswold. 

9th.  The  deposition  of  Homer  Swift,  Esq.  in  which 
he  testified  the  same  as  Dr.  Beardslee. 

Derby,  April  ^Ist,  1818. 

lOth.  Certificate  of  Mr.  Joel  Chatfidd. — I  do  here- 
by certify  that  I  have  been  one  of  the  wardens  of  the 
Episcopal  parish  of  Union  Church,  in  Derby,  for  many 
years  last  past,  and  was  one  of  the  committee  who  em- 
ployed the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  to  preach  in  said  church, 
which  he  did  a  part  of  the  time  for  about  seven  years  ; 
that  I  have  been  personally  and  intimately  acquainted 
with  him  for  about  14  years  last  patt  ;  that  about  seven 
years  of  that  time  he  made  my  hojse  his  home,  and 
boarded  in  my  family,  when  he  was  i*  the  parish,  and 
has  occasionally  made  my  house  his  Lome  ever  since, 
and  that  1  have  always  found  him  a  veiv  able,  faithful, 
piouS  and  exemplary  clergyman  ;  a  man  of  truth,  honor 
and  strict  integrity,  and  no  ways  justly  liaiile  to  reproach 
for  any  immorality  or  impropriety  of  conduct  ;  that  I 
have  been  a  member  and  attended  several  ot  the  conven- 
tions of  the  Episcopal  church,  in  the  state  in  which  the 
case  of  Mr.  Rogers  was  attempted  to  be  discissed,  and 
from  what  I  myself  have  seen  and  heard  in  saic  conven- 
tions, I  am  fully  convinced,  that  the  ecclesiastical  pro- 
ceedings against  him,  have  been  not  only  unconstiution- 
al  and  void,  but  unfair,  oppressive  and  cruel  in  the  high- 
est degree.  Joel  Chatfielt). 

In-presenceof  Lemon  Chaijield,  Stoddard  Chatjield,<^c. 

1 1th      Thomas  Wells,   of  Hebron,  in  the   county    (f 
Tolland,  and  state  of  Connecticut,  of  lawful  age,   depo- 
eth  and  saith,  that  he  is  one  of  the  wardens  of  St.    Pe- 
ter's Church,  in  said  Hebron  ;  that  he  has  been  well  ac- 


MEMOIRS.  93 

quaintcd  with  the  character  of  the  Rev.    Ammi    Rogers 
for  between  25  and  30  years  last  past  ;  that  he  had   re- 
lations and  friends  who  lived  under  the    ministry    of  the 
said  Rogers,  in  the  state    of  New- York  ;  that   he    him- 
self was  there,  and    that    he  considers  the  character  of 
the  said  Rogers  to  be  and  to  have  been   good  ;  that   the 
said  Rogers  has  resided  and  preached  in  said    Hebron  a 
considerable  part  of  the  time  for    between    five    and    six 
years  last  past,  and  is   now  the    settled   minister    of  the 
Episcopal  church  in  this  place  ;  that  the   deponent   has 
usually  attended  all  the  society  and  church  meetings  of 
said  church  ;  that  in  those  meetings  he  has  never  known 
or  heard  of  a  vote  or  voice  against  said  Rogers,    except 
one  man,  who  has  long  since  sold  his  property  and   gone 
off. — The  deponent  further  says  that  he  has  attended  the 
convention  of  the  Episcopal  church    in  this    state,    and 
has  made  particular  inquiry,  and   also   when   he    was   a 
member  of  the  legislature  of  this  state  last  fail  at  New- 
Haven,  he  made  inquiry,  and  is  fully  satisfied  that  noth- 
ing has  appeared  in  any  proper   manner,  to  the  disadvan- 
tage of  the  said  Rogers  ;    and  the    deponent  says,   that 
ho  considers  the  character  of  the   said   Rogers,    among 
his  parishioners  and  most  intimate  acquaintance,  to    be, 
and  to  have  been  good,  as  a  minister,  and  as  a  man,  and 
equal  to  that  of  ministers  of  the  Gospel  in  general  :   and 
further  the  deponent  saith  not. 

Dated  at  Hebron,  the  26th  day  of  April,  1819. 

Thomas  Wells. 
Tolland  County,  ss.  Hebron,  April  i^Gth,  1819. 
Personally    appeared   Thomas    Wells,    signer   of  the 
forgoing  deposition,  and  made  solemn  oath  that  the  facts 
therein  stated,  were  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  noth- 
ing but  the  truth. 

Before  me,  Stewart  Beece,  Justice  of  Peace 
Opened  in  Court.  F.  Coit,  Justice  of  Peace. 
Hiram  Haughton,  of  Hebron,  in  the  county  of  Tol- 
land and  state  of  Connecticut,  of  lawful  age,  deposetb 
and  saith,  that  he  now  is,  and  for  many  years  last  past 
has  been  one  of  the  wardens  of  St.  Peter's  churcl}  in 
said  Hebron  ;  that  he  has  been  well  acquainted  with  the 
ciiaracter  of  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  ever  since   he    has 


91  MEMOIRS. 

preached  in  said  Hebron,  and  that  he  considers  it  to  be 
good.  The  deponent  says  that  the  said  Rogers  has  re- 
sided and  preached  a  considerable  part  of  the  time,  for 
between  five  and  six  years  last  past,  and  is  now  the  set- 
tled minister  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  this  town  ;  that 
ever  since  the  said  Rogers  has  preached  in  said  Hebron, 
he  has  made  his,  the  deponent's  house,  his  home,  and  has 
boarded  in  his  family  v/hen  he  was  in  the  parish  ;  and 
that  he  considers  the  conduct  of  the  said  Rogers,  as  a 
minister  and  as  a  man,  ])ublicly  and  privately,  to  be  good. 
The  deponent  says,  that  he  has  generally  attended  all 
the  society,  and  church  meetings  of  said  Episcopal 
church  ;  and  that  in  these  meetings  he  has  never  known 
nor  heard  of  a  hand  or  a  voice  against  said  Rogers,  ex- 
cept one  man,  who  has  long  since  sold  his  property  and 
gone  off;  that  he  considers  the  conduct  and  character 
of  the  said  Rogers,  among  his  parishioners  and  acquain- 
tance, to  be  good,  and  equal  to  that  of  the  ministers  of 
tli.e  gospel  in  general  :  and  further  the  deponent  saith 
not.^— Dated  at  Hebron,  the  26th  day  of  April,  1819. 

Hiram  Haughton. 
Tolland  County,  ss.  Hebron,  April  26th,  1819. 

Personally  appeared  Hiram  Haughton,  signer  of  the 
foregoing  deposition,  and  made  soleum  oath  that  the  facty 
therein  sUted,  are  the  truth,  the  vi'hole  truth,  and  noth- 
ing but  the  truth,  before  me, 

Stewart  Beebe,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

SJiipman  Haughton,  of  the  town  of  Hebron,  in  the 
county  of  Tolland,  and  state  of  Connecticut,  of  lawful 
age,  deposcth  and  saith,  that  he  has  been  well  acquaint- 
ed with  the  character  of  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  for 
more  than  twenty  years  last  past  :  that  he  had  brothers 
and  sisters,  and  relations,  who  lived  under  the  ministf/ 
of  the  said  Rogers,  while  he  resided  in  the  state  of  Nev/-^  ■ 
York  ;  that  he  himself  was  there,  and  from  his  own 
knowledge,  and  from  the  best  information  which  he  has 
been  able  to  obtain,  the  character  of  the  said  Ammi  Ro- 
gers is  good  as  a  minister,  and  as  a  man,  and  as  a  chris- 
tian, &.C.  (the  same  as  that  of  Mr.  Wells  and  Mr.  Hi- 
ram Haughton,  and  swore  before  the  same  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  at  the  same  time.] 


MEMOIRS.  95 

The  case  was  submitted  to  the  justice  without  argu- 
ment ;  and  he,  after  some  deliberation  ordered  me  to  be 
bound  over  in  a  bond  of  ^750,  with  good  and  sufficient 
security,  for  a  trial  on  the  said  complaint,  before  the 
then  next  Superior  Court  to  be  holden  in  Norwich,  in 
September  then  following  ;  and  I  was  allowed  five  days 
to  go  among  my  acquaintance  and  procure  bail  or  secu- 
rity for  my  appearance — I  suppose  in  the  hope  that  I 
would  run  away.  Thus  my  destruction  as  a  minister, 
which  had  been  attempted  for  almost  twenty  years,  was 
now  likely  to  be  effected.  Bishop  Hobart  would  be 
justified  in  his  neglect  of  me  and  of  my  parishes.  Bish- 
op Jarvis'  friends  would  exult  in  their  success  :  jny  par- 
ishes were  mortified  and  confounded,  and  I  was  in  dis- 
tress. I  immediately  resigned  my  parishes  and  declin- 
ed all  ministerial  duties,  except  on  extraordinary  occa- 
sions. I  procured  bail  and  prepared  for  trial.  Let  me 
pray. 

O,  Father  of  mercies  and  God  of  all  comfort,  my  on- 
ly help  in  time  of  need,  look  down  from  heaven  I  humb- 
ly beseech  thee,  behold,  visit  and  relieve  me  ;  look  upon 
me  with  the  eyes  of  thy  mercy,  comfort  me  with  a  sense 
of  thy  goodness,  preserve  me  from  the  temptations  of 
the  enemy,  give  me  patience  under  my  affliction.  Thou 
O  God,  who  knowest  the  hearts  of  all  nften,  knowest 
that  I  am  not  guilty  of  the  crimes  charged  upon  me  ;  in 
thy  good  time  deliver  me  in  thy  righteousness  ;  forgive 
the  dreadful  perjury  and  the  subornation  of  perjury 
committed  against  me  :  of  thy  great  mercy  forgive  my 
enemies,  persecutors  and  slanderers,  and  turn  their 
hearts  ;  lift  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon  me, 
and  give  me  peace  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  &,c. 

"  False  witnesses  with  forged  complaints. 

Against  my  truth  combin'd  ; 
And  to  my  cliarge  such  tilings  they  laid* 

As  I  had  ne'er  desi^'d. 


96  MEMOIRS. 

The  good  which  I  to  them  had  done. 

With  evil  tliey  repaid  ; 
And  did  with  malice  undeserved,' 

My  harmless  life  invade,"  &c, 

35tli  Psalm  2d  part  in  the  Prayer  Booh- 


CHAPTER  XI. 

PERSECUTION. 

To  impeach  a  court  c "  Justice  is  not  my  intention, 
where  tlere  is  no  abu  ^  i" power.  To  err  is  human,  to 
retract  kaovvn  error  is  noble,  is  manly,  is  generous;  but 
•with  the  tvidence  laid  before  the  court  of  inquiry,  where 
is  there  an/  man  of  good  sense  and  strict  integrity,  if  he 
were  unprejudiced,  would  have  bound  a  respectable 
clergyman  to  trial  for  crimes  so  enormous,  and  support- 
ed by  testimony  so  doubtful?  And  where  is  there  another 
state's  attorney  who  would  have  gone  eight  miles  been 
shut  up  alone  with  a  young  woman,  in  the  situac  .cj 
of  xLsenath,  from  one  or  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  un 
til  nine  or  ten  o'clock  at  night,  and  there  advised,  per- 
suaded and  urged  her  to  bring  forwad  charges  of  that 
nature,  and  expose  herself  to  everlasting  dishonor  and 
contempt! — for  if  their  stoiy  which  she  related  were  true, 
and  she  had  consented  to  what  was  I'edged,  where  is 
the  woman  on  earih  that  would  have.  ;(' ■  t?  Ifitxvere 
not  true,  who  would  have  told  such  atl.r  v;  against  her- 
self? The  story  in  itself,  whether  t.ue  or  false,  is  dis- 
graceful, '^nd  anj  woman  kiad  who  would  tell  it,  ought 
to  be  despised  and  not  to  be  believed,  one  way  or  the 
other;  yet  Lanma'-«  t^ouidejiv  to.iis  unfo  tjnate  girl, 
that  it  rrould  be  th"  i  mi  "nost  hcnorahle  ihir.^ihatshe 
could  doj  that  it  >>..  ?-  si  ^>utti'h!?rt-iBeryriGv  cost  her  any 
thing,  that  she  should  be  pm'iocted,  and  tkat  she  need 
not,  and  thoukl  net  he  called  U|>on  to  u-  ^f.if  .)'ib)!Cily  in 
th'?case;  she  followed  his  advice  a  r   peace 

of  miuu   forever,  and  brcu<j'if  ■■■'  ^  "-  and 

ruin  nnoa  herself  and  olhei  i', 

"'*'^-.i  iiUiVaiitac;  •'*  ^^''   =-•".,  '^r         .  ;  ,1'; 


MEMOIRS.  97 

Lot  others  take  warning  from  this  example,  never  to  say 
iir  do  that  at  one  time,  uf  which  they  would  have  a  just 
cause  to  be  ashamed  at  another. 

Within  a  few  days  after  I  was  bound  over,  1  called  on 
Faiwell  Coit,  Esq.  at  his  house  in  Norwich,  and  reques- 
ted hiuj  to  roturu  to  nie  the  foregoing  papers,  which  I  had 
delivered  to  him  at  the  binding  over;  at  that  moment  Mr. 
Lanman  came  in  and  directed  him  not  to  give  them  up, and 
insulted  and  abused  nie  in  that  manner,  of  which  any  gen- 
tleman would  be  ashamed.  Cuit  refused  to  give  up  ike  pa- 
pers on  the  ground  that  it  was  his  duty  to  keep  them  for 
the  trial.  Asenath  was  confined  to  the  house  of  widow 
Lester,  a  strong  presbyterian  woman,  of  violent  passions 
and  prejudices  in  Griswold,  and  was  guarded  day  and 
night,  and  forbidden  to  see  me  or  any  of  my  friends,  or  to 
speak,  or  to  have  any  communication  with  us.  I  sent 
counsel  to  converse  with  her,  but  he  was  refused  a  sight 
of  her. — Maria  was  gone  off  to  paits  unknown  to  me. 
f  received  proposals  which  are  said  to  have  come  from 
Col.  Halsey,  that  if  I  would  pay  him  400  dollars,  the 
matter  should  all  be  hushed  up,  and  no  more  done  about 
it.  I  wholly  refused  to  pay  one  cent,  trusting  that  my 
righteousness  would  yet  break  forth  as  the  noon-day. 
For  about  four  months,  Asenath  was  kept  and  guarded 
in  this  way,  when  she  had  an  opportunity  of  going  pri- 
vately on  a  visit  to  Hampton,  about  fourteen  miles. — 
This  was  soon  communicated  to  me;  I  immediately  went 
to  see  her.  At  first  she  was  frightened  and  retired;  with- 
ia  a  few  moments  she  returned  with  tears  of  repentance 
confessing  and  lainenting  that  she  had  been  over-per- 
suaded, and  wickedly  induced  by  threats  and  promises 
to  lie  and  swear  falsidy  against  me;  that  she  had  never 
enjoyed  one  moment's  peace  of  mind  since;  but  what  to 
do  she  did  not  know;  if  she  did  not  testify  again  at  the 
trial  as  siie  had  done,  she  would  be  pro.^ecnted  for  perju- 
ry and  sufier  all  its  penalties;  if  she  did,  she  should  j)er- 
jurc  herself  again;  that  she  knew,  that  I  knew,  and  God 
knew,  that  what  she  had  testified  against  me  was  false, 
and  that  she  should  be  glad  to  retract,  and  make  amends 
to  the  utmost  of  her    power,   if  she  could   be    protected. 

She  then   went  before  a  justice,   wrote   with  her  c-wa 


V3  toiEMOIRS. 

n  >nil,  subscribed  and  made  solenni  oath  to  the  following 
i.y/posinos,  directed  to  the  Superior  Court  of  Connecti- 
r.it,  t:»  be  holdoii  in  Norwich,  September,  1819,  and  im- 
rrjediatcly  left  the  state. 

I,  Asenath  C.  Smith,  of  the  town  of  Griswold,  in  the 
county  of  New-London,  and  state' of  Connecticut,  of 
awful  age,  depose  and  sa/,  that  the  information  given, 
ju'i  the  complaint  made  by  James  Lanman,  Esq.  attor- 
ae/  for  the  state  of  Conneticut,  to  Farwelj  Coit,  Esq.  a 
j<3stice  of  the  peace,  dated  Norwich,  April  12th,  1819, 
against  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  and  his  conduct  towards 
nje,  was  then,  and  now  is  wholly,  uttexly,  and  absolutely 
false  and  unjust;  and  I  depose  and  say,  that  the  testimo- 
ny which  I  gave  bef  )re  the  said  Farwell  Coit,  Esq.  on 
;he  "-iDth  day  of  April,  1819,  was  procured  and  dictated, 
and  I  was  induced  by  Col.  Halsey,  Dr.  Downer  and 
others,  who  overpersuaded  and  induced  me  to  say  what 
Idid,  and  for  whi-h  I  am  now  sincerly  sorry,  and  now 
confess  that  my  testimony  on  that  subject  was  wholly  oc- 
casioned by  thera,  aiiJ  that  it  was  unjust  and  wrong. 

AsENATH  C.  Smith. 

Windham  county,  ss.  Windham,  Sept.  2d,  1819.  Per- 
sonally appeared  tl;e  above  named  Asenath  C.  Smith, 
who  subscribed  and  made  solemn  oath  to  the  trutli  of  the 
foregoi.ig  depo.sition  in  diie  form  of  law,  bef  re  me. 

Abi.'er  iloBiiNso.v,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Within  20  days  Mfter  the  foregoing  deposition,  Maria, 
of  her  own  free  wi'l  and  axord — without  my  knowledge 
and  when  [  was  no;  within  ab')Ut  30  n\iles  of  her,  went 
before  a  Ju?itice,  and  ga>.e  the  following  deposition,  viz. 

TV)  t!ie  Hmi.  S>(r)i.'ioi'  Court,  &c. 
I,  PiIariaA.  Smith,  of  G.-i.uvold,  N'^ew-London  cnunty,  and 
State  of  Cormecl'.cut,  of  lawful  age,  depose  a"d  on  my 
oath  say.  that  I  very  nsuch  regret  thr.t  I,  ail  tny  Sister, 
As3nath  C.  Smith,  wore  over-persuaded  to  tesrify  to 
what  we  did  before  Esq.  Coit,  against  Mr.  Fiigers,  and 
I  cannot  conscicnt;.ousiy  sa/  it  again,  though  I  do  not- 
mtend  to  implicate  myself:,  I  have  no  reai:oo  to  believe 
that  the  charges  against  Mr,  Rogers  by   my   sister   are 


MEMOIRS.  99 

true,  ntir  have  I  any  personal  knowledge  of  any  iinpro}> 
er  conduct  of  Mr.    Rogers;   I    never   heard  my    sister 
mention  these  charges  against  Mr.  Rogers  until  after  Col . 
Halsey  and    Dr.    Do\\ncr  came  to  our  house  and  stai 
all    night.     A    Cew    svecks    after   my     mother's     dea 
which  was  in  iMay  last,  my    sister  begged  of  me    my 
vice  as  a  friend,  whether    it  would  not    be    best  to  Ic 
this  place.     As  we  were  in  bed  together  one  night, 
introduced  the  subject  in  a  very  feeling  manner,  and 
pressed  much  sorrow  for  saying  what  she  had.      She 
that  the  complaint    against  Mr.    Rogers    respecting 
was  not  true,  and  that  she  never  should  say  it  again; 
told  me  that  she  felt  conscious  that  she  had    injured 
Rogers   through  the  persuasion  of  Col.  Halsey  and 
Downer  and  others.     I    heard  them  urge  and    pursu 
her  to  testify  against  Mr.    Rogers  contrary    to  what  s 
told  them  was  her  judgment  and  inclination;  I  heard  Coi. 
Halsey  say  to  her,  I    pledge  to  you  my  life  and    honor,^ 
that  it  never  shall  hurt  you,  it  will  be  more  for  your  cred- 
it, shall  cost  you    nothing,  you  will    have   more  friends, 
you  shall  be    protected,  Stc.     I  further  depose   and  say, 
that  on  the   aforesaid  night,    my  sister  did    acknowledge  c 
to  me,  that  the  letter    received  by  Capt.   Cook   was  her  I 
letter,  and  that   she  wrote  it;  that  I   have  heard  my  sis-  t^ 
ter  several  times  mention  the  subject  of  Mr.  Rogers  be- 
ing wrongfully  accused  by,  and  concerning  her,  that  she 
seemed  very  sorry,  mortified,  and  ashamed  for  what  she 
had  said  and  done;  and  I  depose    and  say,  that  1  am  ve- 
ry sorry  that  I  was  over-persuaded  to  say  that  which  has 
caused   me  much    inconvenience  and  trouble,   thou£h  I 
do  not  intend  to  itwolve   myseHin  any  contradictions,  or 
any  more  law  business.     And  further  the  deponent  saifh 
not. 

Maria  A.  Si-iith. 

New-London  County,  ss.  Griswold,  Sept.  i2d,  18 19. 

Personally  appeared  the  above  named  Maria  A.  Smit 
vrho  hath  written  and  subscribed  the  foregoing  depositio 


lOO  MEMOIRS. 

and  made  solemn  oath  that  the    same  contains  the  truth, 
the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth. 

Before  mo,  Denmson  Palmer,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

SUPERIOR  COURT, 

County  of  Jfew-LonloUy  September,  18 19. 
The  case  of  Ammi  Rogers  was  called.  I  was  pres- 
ent with  witnesses,  and  with  the  foregoing  depositions  of 
Asenath  C.  and  Maria  A.  Smith;  they  had  also  each  of 
them  written  to  Calvin  Goddard,  Esq.  who  was  counsel 
for  me,  and  to  Mr.  Lanman  also,  and  confessed  to  him 
in  their  hand-writing,  and  ift  the  fullest  terms  my  inno- 
cence of  the  crimes  and  misconduct  which  they  had  been 
wickedly  induced  to  charge  falsely  upon  me. — 1  was  pre- 
pared for  trial.  Mr.  Lanman  moved  to  have  the  case  con- 
tinued. Mr.  Goddard  for  reasons  unknoivii  to  me,  did  not 
object,  and  the  case  loas  continued;  but  no  further  bonds 
were  required,  and  it  was  supposed  that  the  case  was 
dropped  or  dismissed. 

SUPERIOR  COURT. 

^ew-London  County,  Norwich,  January,  1820. 

Present,  the  Hon.  Jeremiah  G.  Brainard,  Judge, 

Col.   Halsey  and  Jirah  Isham,  Esq,  counsel  for  the 

state,  in  the  absence  of  Mr.  Lanman.     Calvin  Goddard, 

Esq.  and  Jacob  B.  Gurley,  Esq.  counsel  for  me.     The 

first  day  of  February,  1820,  was  assigned  for  the  trial. 

My  witnesses  were  collected,  my  testimony  laid  be- 
fore the  Justice  at  the  binding  over  was  in  his  posses- 
sion ;  the  deposition  of  Asenath  C.  Smith  before  Abner 
Robinson,  Esq.  and  the  deposition  of  Maria  A.  Smith 
before  Denison  Palmer,  Esq.  and  their  letters  to  Mr. 
Goddard,  were  all  ready.  Col.  Halsey  had  subpoenaed 
about  forty  witnesses  on  the  part  of  fiie  state,  and  they 
were  present ;  not  one  of  them  knew  the  truth  of  a  sin- 

flo  fact  charged  in  the  conlplaint.  The  case  was  called  ; 
answered,  and  put  myself  on  my  country  for  trial ;  the 
Jury  were  impannelled,  sworn  and  paid.  The  case  was 
now^  in  their  hands,  and  they  were  under  solemn  oath  to  re- 
turn a  verdict,  according  as  the  evidence  should  then  be 
delivered  in  court  ;  and  I  waa  actually  in  jeopardy. 


MEMOIRS.  101 

Elisfia  Geer  was  the  first  witness  who  was  called  and 
testified  :  Mr.  Garley  asked  him  if  he  knew  that  any 
crime  now  charged  upon  me  before  the  court  was  true  '. 
he  testified  that  he  did  not.  Mr.  Gurley  then  said,  if 
there  be  any  witness  present,  who  knows  any  one  crime 
charged  in  the  information  against  my  client  to  be  true, 
let  him  come  forward  and  testify.  It  is  not  yet  proved 
that  a  crime  has  been  committed  by  any  one,  and  I  may 
now  as  well  as  any  time  make  an  objection.  May  it 
please  the  court,  I  do  now  object  to  any  testimony  in 
this  case  until  the  main  facts  charged  be  first  proved. 
I  submit  to  the  court,  if  it  be  not  contrary  to  the  estab- 
lished law  of  evidence,  to  admit  colatera.1  testimony  un- 
til the  main  facts  charged  be  first  proved.  Mr.  Isham 
replied,  that  the  main  witnesses  to  the  crimes  charged, 
were,  by  the  accused,  got  out  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
court,  and  their  testimony  could  not  be  had,  that  in  such 
a  case,  it  was  admissible  to  prove  what  they  had  testified 
at  the  binding  over,  and  cited  one  or  two  authorities  to 
prove  it  :  and  moved  that  testimony  to  that  amount  be 
then  admitted.  Mr.  Gurley  objected  first,  that  the  law 
had  provided  means  whereby  witnesses  might  be  put  un- 
der recognizance  to  remain  in  the  state  and  testily  their 
knowledge  in  a  case  which  was  pending,  and  if  the  coun- 
sel had  neglected  that  duty,  the  maxim  in  law  would  ap- 
ply, viz.  that  no  maii  shalJ  take-  advantage  of  his  own 
wrongs  ;  secondly,  he  said  it  was  not  yet  proved  that  the 
witnesses  were  got  out  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court 
by  his  client,  and  that  waa  an  offence  which  was  not  be- 
fore the  court,  and  he  objected  to  any  testimony  to  prove 
it.  The  question  now  before  the  court,  and  which  1 
wish  to  have  decided  is,  shall  colateral  testimony  be  ad- 
mitted until  the  main  facts  be  first  proved  ?  The  court 
replied,  it  is  manifestly  contrary  to  the  law  of  evidence  to 
admit  testimony  to  prove  the  circumstances  of  a  crime  un- 
til it  be  first  proved  that  there  has  been  a  crime;  in  this 
case  theie  is  no  evidence  that  a  crime  has  been  commit- 
ted by  any  one  ;  and  until  these  facts  be  first  proved  it 
is  inadmissible  to  prove  any  circumstances  ;  the  testi- 
mony cannot  be  admitted.  Mr.  Ishman  then  moved  to 
have  the  case  continued.     Mr.  Gurley  objected,  that  the 

9* 


102  MEMOIRS. 

case  wa-i  li  '  ofotfe-tlw,  julyi  and  that  they  were  sworn 
to  give  a  V  '  ,il  t.'io  case  hud  hecn   coniiniicd  on 

the  part  ol'  I  Ai  oacc  before  :  tiiat  th.e   constitution 

had  jiroi'idcvl  th  ■.  •  c -Ci /  person  who  was  accused  sliould 
be  entitled  io  a  sfteeiUj  'nal  ;  and  that  no  person  shouhl 
be  pill  nijeop:i.\i!j  twice  i'ov  the  same  oflence  ;  that  if 
they  were  not  ready  for  tri,.l,  wliy  did  they  open  the 
<;ase,  and  that  it  was  wronj.^  t^  iceep  any  one  nnder  bonds 
Irom  month  to  month,  from  term  to  term,  and  (iom  year 
to  year  ;  that  he  did  object  to  tlie  continuance  of  tlie 
case,  and  if  it  were  taken  from  the  jury  il  was  without 
his  consent.  The  eouri.  observed  that  the  admission  of 
hearsay  testimony  iu  certain  cases  was  novel  in  this 
country,  that  he  feit  a  delicacy  in  deciding  it  without  the 
opinion  and  advice  of  the  other  Judges  ;  he  therefore 
should  continue  the  case. 

My  bail  was  bound  with  me,  in  a  bond  of  ^{^T.jO,  that 
I  should  appear  and  answer  to  tiie  charges  against  me, 
before  the  Superior  Court  in  New-London  County,  in 
September,  1319.  This  I  did.  The  ease  was  then  con- 
tinued, witJiout  my  consent,  to  January,  1820,  but  no 
further  bail  was  required  ;  I,  however,  appeared,  an- 
swered, put  myself  out  of  the  hands  of  my  bail  and  on 
my  country  for  trial,  and  had  a  trial  ;  the  ease  was  ta- 
ken from  the  jury,  and  continued  again  without  my  con- 
jsent,  until  the  ne.xt  Se])tember,  but  no  fuither  bail  was 
required  ;  and  for  that  reason,  and  for  the  objections 
made  by  Mr.  Guerley,  I  did  suppose  the  question  to  be 
tried  was  merely  a  questi(»n  of  law,  and  thai  I  could  not 
be  put  in  jenpardij  twice  for  the.  same  ojfhicc  ;  and  espe- 
cially as  it  was  well  known  that  the  witnesses,  on  whose 
testimony  I  was  bound  over,  had  retracted,  and  under 
oath  confessed  my  innocence,  and  exposed  the  circuin- 
Rtanccs  which  induced  them  to  accuse  me  falsely. 


MEMOIRS.  ;ios 

THE  TRIAL. 

State  op  Connecticut  ) 

vs.  J-     Superior  Court,  JVew-London 

AiM.Mi  Rogers.         )     County,  October  5thy  IQ2.0. 

—PRESENT-^ 

Hon.  Asa  Chap3ian,   Jzulgc,  (alone.)* 
James  Lanman,  Esq.  County  Attorney,  )    /^         i    /• 
ercmiah  rialsey,  li,sq.  >      ,,      «,  / 

T*  f       T     1  TT*    "*  L  tJl€      OiCttC 

Jirah  Isham,  Ji,sq.  ) 

Calvin  Goddard,   Esq.  ^  n          i  r     ii               j 

Wir        o   ni         I      I  r'       »  Counsel  for  tn&  accused 

illiam  P.  Clcavcland,  Esq.  ...       i    .               .■ 

f       1  T)   /-<     I        T-  r  tliG  two  first  were  active, 
.Jacob  li.  Gurlcv,  Esq.                         ^i     i     ^    j  • 

/^            uii   !■•  \        the  last  advisory. 

Ueorge  Hill,  Esq.  j                                 ^ 

I,  Ammi  Rogers,  Avascallrd,  and  answered  to  this  case 
in  September,  1819;  then  plead  not  guilty,  either  in 
whole  or  any  |)art.  The  ca.se  was  then  ou  motion  of  Mr. 
Lanman,  continued  to  January  term  in  1820.  I  appear- 
ed and  an.swcred  agai.i,  a  id  plead  not  guilty  astefove; 
put  myself  on  my  country  for  trial;  the  jury  wern  empan- 
nellod  and  sworn;  abf)ut  forty  witnesses  on  the  part  of 
the  state  were  sworn.  3  Jisha  Geer  testified;  anditwas 
enquired  if  any  one  prcs  :r.t  knew  the  truth  of  the  facts 
charged  upon  me;  thoy  <^!id  not.  Tv/o  important  ques- 
tions were  then  decided  hy  the  court;  first,  that  it  was 
contrary  to  the  law  of  evidence  to  admit  collateral  testi 
rnony  until  the  main  facts  charged  be  first  proved;  se- 
condly, that  hearsay  testimony  could  not  be  admitted  in 
a  criminal  prosecution.  The  counsel  for  the  state  again 
moved  to  have  tlie  case  continued;  my  counsel  objected; 
the  court  overruled,  and  the  case  was  taken  from  the  ju- 
ry without  my  consent;  and  they  could  not  render  that 
verdict  which  they  hid  just  sworn  in  the  presence  of  the 
everliving  God,  that  they  would  do. 

I     On  the  5th  day  of  Octoljer,  1820,  in  New-London,  in 
he  County  of  Ncw-I.ondon,  the  same   case  was   again 

*Tiiis  is  iliL'  vpiy  .<!:iino  |)ci.siin  win)  lu;l  siie.l  me  nmf.  times  for  tlie  saino 
|)rcteiiile<l  ti t;:35p.i.s«  aiul  fir  aLiiust  twenty  je;a-3  liad  been  my  iMilicular 
cueiiiv. 


104  MEMOIRS. 

cailed,  and  I  again  appeared",  and  answered;  and  the 
fourth  time  plead  not  guilty  either  in  whole  or  in  any  part, 
viz.  before  the  justice  at  the  binding  over,  before  the 
Superior  Court  in  Norwich^  September,  1819,  before 
the  same  Court  in  January,  1820,  and  now  again  in 
New-London,  October,  1820,  The  following  Jury  were 
cmpannelled  and  sworn,  viz.  John  P.  Trott,  Charles  But 
ler,  Charles  W.  Wait,  Eli  Beardslee,  George  Raymoit 
Comstock  Dart,  James  Mitchell,  David  Patten,  Thorn 
as  Palmer,  Simeon  Chcsebrough,  Griswold  .A.very,  Ji 
Caleb  Lyon. 

The  clerk  then  read  the  following  information. — 
To  the  Hon.  Superior  Courtj  S^c.  in  JVew-London  County, 

Sfc.   the  same  as  before  the  Justice^  Page  86. 
TTie  ■witnesses  on  the  part  of  the  state  were  called  and  sworn 
[     It  vvas  expected  that  Mr.  Goddard  would  have  made  a 
challenge,  that  if  there   were  any  witnesses  present  who 
knew  and  would  testify,   that  I  ever  had  committed  thest 
or  any  other  crimes,    with  Asenath  Caroline  Smith,  the) 
would  then  come  forward  and  testify,  and  that  he  woula 
object  to  any  testimony  in   the  case  until  that  was  done 
Would  not   any   lawyer  who   was  true  to  his  client    ano 
sincerely  intended  to  defend  him,  have  done  this?    I  ap 
peal  to  every  gentleman  of  the  Bar;  would  not  you  have 
done  it?  In  this    case,  Asenath,   who   was  then  in  town, 
must  have  been  brought  forward  and  she  would  have  ex- 
posed  the   whole  plot,  or  I   must   have    been   acquitted 
with  honor.     But  my  counsel,  in  whose  hands  I  had  pla- 
ced myself,  my  cause,   my  char.acter,  my  profession,  my 
.liberty,  my  all,  for  reasons    unknown  and  unexpected  to 
'me,  did  not  take  that   stand;  in  fact   I  was  deceived  and 
betrayed  hy  my  own  counsel. 

*  Elisha  Geer  was  the  first  witness.  Mr.  Goddard  in- 
formed the  court  that  this  case  had  been  once  committed 
to  a  jury,  witnesses  wore  sworn  and  examined,  and  was 
opened  on  the  part  of  tlie  state,  and  the  accused  was  ac- 
tually in  jeopardy,  that  the  case  was  taken  from  the  jury 
without  consent;  and  by  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States  no  person  could  be  put  in  jeopardy  twice  for  the 
same  thing  or  on  the  same  charge.  The  court  decided 
that  no  one  could  be  considered  as  having  been   in  jeop- 


MCMOmS.  lOJ 

■ardy  until  a  verdict  had  been  rendered.  The  counsel 
did  not  object  to  the  trial,  on  the  slative  oj  limitation  of' 
which  I  was  at  that  time  ignorant;  the  crimes  allesred 
were  outlawed  by  the  state  law  of  Connecticut,  Mr. 
Geer  testified  the  same  as  in  paj^e  83. 

Question  bij  Mr.  Lanman.  Do  you  not  know  that  the 
pri.^oner  was  courting  your  grand-daughter?  P«Ir.  God- 
dard  objected  to  the  question  as  altogether  irrevalent: 
it  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  case  on  trial;  we  presume 
that  it  is  no  part  of  my  client's  offence  that  he  was  court- 
ing this  girl,  if  it  was  true;  courting  is  not  an  indictable 
crime,  it  constitutes  no  part  of  the  offence  c-liarged  in  the 
information.  Mr.  Lanman  replied,  it  certainly  is  admis- 
sible, to  shew  the  nature  of  the  intimacy  which  subsisted 
between  the  prisoner  and  this  young  woman;  it  shews 
the  power  and  opportunity  he  had  to  commit  the  crimes 
alleged  against  him,  and  the  inducement  he  had  to  act; 
it  is  furnishing  some  presumption  that  he  did  commit  the 
crimes  charged.  Mr.  Goddard  replied  that  there  was 
no  evidence  before  the  court  that  any  crime  ever  was 
committed  by  any  person  with  this  young  woman,  or  with 
any  body  else;  and  I  do  object  to  any  testimony  to  prove 
the  circumstances  of  a  crime,  or  the  inducements  to  com- 
mit a  crime,  until  it  be  first  proved  that  there  has  been  a 
crime.  The  court  overruled  and  directed  the  witness 
to  proceed:  diredhj  contrary  to  the  decision  of  Judge 
Brainard  in  this  verij  case  onlij  the  term  before.  Mr.  God- 
dard then  informed  Mr.  Lanman  and  the  court,  that  Ase- 
nath  C.  Smith,  was  then  in  town;  and  it  remained  with 
lier  to  say  whether  the  charges  were  true  or  not.  The 
court  directed  the  witness  to  proceed.  Mr.  Goddard 
objected — the  court  told  him  to  go  on.  Mr.  Geer  then 
said,  I  had  no  doubt  that  the  prisoner  was  courting  my 
grand-daughter;  they  appeared  like  it  and  were  very 
fond  of  each  other,  and  I  verily  believed  that  he  intended 
to  make  her  his  wile.  This  witness  did  not  pretend  to 
have  any  knowledge  that  any  crnne  charged  in  the  infor- 
mation was  true,  and  his  testimony  was  directly  contra 
ry  to  what  he  ^^nd  all  the  family  had  assured  Mr.  Roae, 
and  others.     (See  pages  89  and  90.'^ 


106  MEMOIRS. 

Dr.  E.  B.  Downing  was  the  second  witness;  he  testi- 
fied the  same  as  in  page  87.* 

Maria  Jl.  Siniih  was  the  next  witness;  she  was  the  » 
5j«/?poserf  sister  of  the  said  Asonalh,  then  about  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  and  between  two  and  three  years 
younger  than  the  said  Aseaath;  she  was  tall  and  a  good 
figure,  very  handsome,  had  a  better  education  as  to  loar- 
iihig  than  common;  she  dressed  well  and  appeared  well, 
and  was  very  fluent  and  impressive  in  speech,  but  teas  a 
most  noiorious  liar,  and  said  to  be  unchaste.  She  began 
by  saying,  Ikave  told  so  maiuj  different  stories  atid  contra- 
dicted vvjsetf  so  often  on  the  subject  noio  before  the  court, 
that  I  did  not  thinh  i.nj  testimony  would  be  received.  Wlio 
then  ought  to  receive  it  !  !  She  made  solemn  oath  that 
she  did  not  think  her  testimony  would  be  received.  But 
the  court  directed  her  to  proceed.  She  then  testified 
that  she  first  became  acquainted  with  me  in  August, 
1815,  and  told  a  j^tory  about  my  courting  her  sister,  that 
she  had  been  to  Massachusetts,  that  between  Mr.  Mer- 
cer's, and  Mrs  iCaton's,  1  took  her  into  a  most  dismal 
swamp,  in  a  dark  night,  and  there  extorted  from  her  a 
promise  to  give  a  deposition  in  my  favor — (human  Ian-  ^ 
.guage  never  uttered  greater  falsehoods!)  yet  the  court  ( 
would  and  did  receive  it,  and  on  it  I  was  condemned! 
shame  ! — shame  on  the  court,  and  shame  on  all  who  will 
uphold  such  conduct!  The  excitement  of  Anti-Masonry 
against  Masons  is  not  to  be  compared  with  it  !  Who  may 
not  be  ruined  in  this  v/ay.  ' 

She  testified  that  I  had  kept  private  company  with 
her  sister,  from  about  Christmas,  1815,  to  October,  1817; 
that  she  had  seen  us  in  bed  together  ;  that  in  October, 
1817,  I  came  to  their  house  one  Tuesday  evening,  and 
remained  shut  up  in  a  chamber  alone  with  her  sister  day 
and  night,  until  Saturday  mornin;:;  ;  that  the  door  was 
kept  fastened,  and  none  of  the  family  were  admitted  ; 
that  on  Thursday  evening  she  and  her  mother    heard    a 

*Ti!e  wile  oi  Wilcoine  A.  Browning,  a  voiy  rtispeclable  woiiiaii,  testified 
that  she  lived  within  about  40  rols  ol' jWnath,  thatslie  was  there  wlien  Doct. 
Downiag  came,  and  staid  there  iKitil  10  or  II  o'cl.jc.k  at  night,  that  she  had 
HO  reason  to  believe  that  his  t3,-:ii  ii  jdv  \/as  true,  that  sbp  was  there  and  had 
tiie  n;eans  of  knowing;,  and  she  never  liad  KuspecUeJ  or  heard  of  such  a  thing 
until  about  two  years  afterwards. 


MEMOIRS.  107 

most  dismal  screech,  and  ran  up  stairs  to  know  what  was 
the  matter  ;  that  the  door  was  fastened  and  they  deman- 
ded admittance,  and  after  some  delay  they  were  admit- 
ted, when  tliey  found  Asenath  lying  on  the  bed,  and  me 
standing  by  her  holding  a  sheet  over  her  head,  and  said 
she  had  got  hysterics,  and  I  would  take  care  of  her,  and 
they  went  down  and  left  us.  [Nothing  could  be  more 
false,  and  it  is  fully  contradicled  by  Perry  Clark,  Sophia 
Clark,  and  Lester  Clark,  under  oath,  but  their  testimony 
could  not  be  had  on  trial.] — That  ou  Saturday  morning  1 
went  from  there,  and  the  next  week  Doct.  Downing 
came  there  and  she  was  delivered  of  a  dead  child, [Sec  her 
deposition  before  Deni  on  Pal.ner  Esq.  page  d^~\  that  on 
the  Saturday  night  before  the  first  Monday  in  May,  1818, 
I  came  to  their  house  about  12  o'clock  at  night,  when 
they  were  in  bed,  that  I  staid  about  three  hours,  and  ad- 
vised Asenath  to  go  a'.vay — (this  i.-!  fully  contradicted  by 
Esq.  Cook  and  his  wife,)  and  tlie  next  day  Andrew  Clark 
conveyed  her  to  llamptori. 

At  this  time  Mr.  John  C.  Baker,  who  was  one  of 
their  witnesses,  came  and  informed  me  privately,  that 
Mr^  Lester  Clark  had  returned  to  Griswold,  and  desired 
him  to  inform  me,  that  he  ki.cw  that  which  would  whol- 
ly destroy  the  testimony  of  Mrria  A.  Smith,  and  that  if 
he  was  sent  for  he  would  cor.ie  andl  stify.  I  then  said 
to  the  judge,  there  is  now  a  witness,  within  a  few  miles 
of  this  place,  and  within  the  jurisdiction  of  this  court, 
whose  testimony  is  necnssar/  in  my  defence  ;  I  am  now 
at  the  bar  on  trial,  and  hava  it  not  in  my  power  to  send 
for  him,  I  therefore  pray  the  curt  it  send  for  him.  Mr, 
Lanman  objected.  I  replied  ^iiat  1  was  then  on  trial  and 
had  it  not  in  my  power  to  ser  d.  And  on  that  ground  I 
pray  the  court  to  send.  71ie  court  wholly  declined,  and 
directed  them  to  proceed  without  him.  Was  there  ever 
such  a  thing  before  ? 

Jindrew  Clark  was  tiic  next  witness.  The  third  of 
May,  1818,  1  think  Asenath  asked  m^  to  carry  her  to 
her  uncle's  in  Windhani.  [  carried  iior  there,  and  she 
paid  me  out  of  a  two  d  >llar  bill.  By  iSt.  Lanman. — Have 
you  any  knowjudge  that  Rogers  came  to  your  house  to 
court  Asenath  ?  Ajks.  I   do   not   know;  he    was  there 


103  MEMOIRS. 

frequently,  and  they  appeared  fond  of  each  other.  By 
Mr.  Goddard. — Is  Asenath  subject  to  fits  ?  Ans.  Slie  is. 
By  tlie  same. — Had  she  any  fits  a  short  time  before  the 
noise  was  said  to  be  heard  in  lier  chamber  ? — Ans.  I 
think  slie  had,  not  a  great,  while  before  that  time.  By  tho 
same. — Do  you  think  within  six  months  }  Ans.  I  should 
think  she  had  within  that  time.  [Pt)rry  Clark,  Sophia 
Clark,  and  Lester  Clark,  have  testified  .since  the  trial, 
that  they  never  knew  me  to  be  shut  up  with  Asenath  a 
day  or  night  in  the  world  ;  that  they  never  knew  or  heard 
of  such  a  noise  at  their  house  as  IMaria  described,  until 
about  two  years  afterwards  ;  that  at  the  time  the  noise 
was  said  to  be  heard,  they  well  remembered  that  Ase- 
nath was  sick,  and  had  fits,  and  fell  from  her  bed  on  the 
floor,  and  Lester  then  offered  to  go  after  a  docter  for 
her,  and  her  mother  objected.  They  all  swear  that  m 
the  summer  and  fall  of  1817,  Asenath  was  very  sickly, 
weakly  and  unwell,  and  had  fits  :  and  both  before  and 
since  the  trial  she  has  testified  that  by  these  means,  she 
supposed,  she  lost  her  child,  if  she  ever  was  like  to 
have  one,  (for  she  never  saw  it  and  never  knew  any 
thing  of  it  only  by  hearsay,)  she  was  in  town  ready  to 
testily  the  same  on  trial.] 

Dr.  Ira  Daniels  was  the  next  witness  :  Ho  had  been 
a  baptist  by  profession,  but  had  left  their  communion, 
and  had  espoused  the  cause  of  Socinianism  or  deism. 
lie  had  brought  Maria  to  court,  was  much  in  her  private 
compamj,  but  knew  nothing  of  the  truth  of  the  crimes 
charged  upon  me  ;  had  never  heard  of  them  until  be- 
tween two  and  three  years  after  they  were  said  to  have 
been  committed,  but  manifested  great  zeal  in  supporting 
the  testimony  of  ]\Liria,  and  in  favour  of  Lanman  from 
whom  he  expected  great  rewards. 

Samuel  IVIieeler,  the  negro,  was  the  next  witness,  and 
testified  as  in  page  87. 

Welcome  A.  Broivning  was  the  next.  He  testified 
that  he  lived  within  about  forty  rods  of  Mr  Geer  ;  tha* 
he  never  saw  me  there  but  once  ;  that  he  had  frequently 
seen  nie  going  to,  and  coming  from  the  house,  and  at 
the  door  ;  but  knew  nothing  of  the  crimes  charged  upon* 


MEMorr;s.  uo 

nie,  and  had  never  heard  of  them  until  two   years  afler- 
wards. 

William  Foster,  Ralph  Webb,  Eunice  Howard,  John 
Geer,  Eunice  Willoughby,  Warren  Williams,  Lydia 
Williams,  Ephraim  JVI.  Williams,  wore  sworn  and  carc> 
fully  examined,  hut  they  know  nothing  of  the  truth  of 
the  charges  against  me  and  had  never  heard  of  them 
until  about  two  years  after  they  were  said  to  have  been 
committed. 

Here  the  evidence  on  the  part  of  the  state  was  closed 
for  the  present,  and  no  one.  crime  charged  in  the  ivforma- 
tion  teas  proved  or  even  attempted  to  be  proved  by  any  one 
witness.  Even  tijc  j  resumptive  proof  was  founded  prin- 
cipally on  the  te::timony  of  Maria  A.  Smith,  who  began 
her  testimony  by  swearing  that  she  had  lold  so  viany  dif- 
ferent stories  mid  had  contradicted  herself  so  ofien  on  the 
subject,  that  she  hci'self  did  not  think  her  testimony  wotild 
bercc.ivcd;  and  Sam  Whcolcr,  the  negro,  whose  master 
declaied  that  he  could  not  believe  him  when  he  was  sent 
on  a  common  errand  ;  poor  evidence  to  destroy  a  res- 
pectable clergyman,  who  had  '2000  souls  under  his  care 
and  against  whom  the  wardens  of  the  church  in  Hebron 
made  solemn  oath,  that  for  six  years  last  past  they  had 
not  laiown,  or  so  much  as  heaid  of  a  voice  ora  vote 
against  him,  except  oi>e.  ICT^  If  I  had  been  a  prosby- 
tcrian  minister,  siiould  1  hayc  been  condemned  in  this 
way  on  such  a  tcslimcay  ?! 

The  court  directed  my  counsel  to  biing  forward  thnr  t«»(- 
nessee. 

[And  here  I  am  asinnishcil  that  my  counsel  did  not 
submit  the  case  without  a  witness  on  my  part,  for  there 
was  no  evidence  cfaay  cri  ue  as, charged  upon  mc  !] 

James  Cook,  Ehj.  was  tiic  lic§t  witness.  He  tcstifiecl 
the  same  as  in  ])a:^'e  8Bi 

Here  I  aros<j  and  i^-aUl—JUny  it  please  Vu  Court,  \ 
slaad  here  accitscd  ol"  cii  :ios  uiiicfi  never  came  into  nvf 
mind,  and  of  wiiich  I  have  iio  idea  that  my  accuscra  ev- 
er thought  was  guilty— ihcro  wvva  iinpprtant  papers  and 
documents  delivered  (■>  thr  Justice,  at  the  binding  ttyer, 
as  evidence  in  Ci-vsc  aud .^:,<l/iii.i{lcd  by   conwd  cf  cvuusel 


^tO  MEMOIRS. 

.TmonT  those  papers  are  the  depositions  of  Asenath  C 
Smith  in  which  she  has  solemnly  sworn  that  same  suppo- 
sed child,  upon  another  man,  which  she  has  since  been 
wickedly  suborned  to  swear  falsely  upon  me,  [page  71.] 
A.lso  the  certificate  signed  by  her  and  all  the  family, 
'page  89]  also  the  deposition  of  Maria  A.  Smith,  [page 
98]  to  prove  the  falsity  of  what  she  has  now  testified. 
Also  the  deposition  of  Curtis  Hickok,  Esq.  and  others, 
[^age  91]  to  prove  that  I  was  not  within  100  miles  of  the 
place,  when  and  where  the  crimes  were  committed, — and 
many  other  papers  absolutely  necessary  in  my  defence 
[see  page  91]  and  turning  to  Esq.  Coit,  said,  I  wish  you 
now  to  return  them  to  me.  Ans.  I  shall  not  give  them 
up  without  the  order  of  the  court.  I  said — will  the 
Court  please  to  order  them  given  up,  for  without  them  1 
cannot  have  a  fair  trial.  The  Judge  replied,  I  do  not 
know  that  I  have  power  to  order,  but  I  advise  you  to  re- 
turn them.  He  answered,  /  have  not  got  them  ;  then 
turning  to  Lanman  said,  have  you  not  got  them  ?  Lan- 
man,  looking  over  a  bundle  of  papers,  said,  /  did  not 
take  them.  The  Judge  saidj  well,  proceed  in  the  trial  ; 
bring  on  your  next  witness.  [James  Cook,  Esq.  Capt. 
"^  John  Townsend,  Messrs.  Pelcg  Rose  and  Enoch  Baker, 
j  have,  since  the  trial,  made  solemn  oath  that  they  saw 
0  me  deliver  to  the  court  of  Inquiry  the  papers  referred  to 
m  page  91 — that  they  were  present  at  the  trial  and  heard 
me  call  for  th-e  aforesaid  papers  and  documenit.'? — thai 
they  were  withheldj^  and  the  court  proceeded  withotd 
them.] 

Mr,  Enoch  Baker  was  the  next  witness  ;  he  testified 
as  in  page  &0  ;  and  that  they  all  cleared  Mr.  Rogers  of 
every  thing  improper  there,  and  said  he  had  never  cour- 
ted Asenath  nor  kept  her  company  ;  that  she  never,  had 
been  like  to  have  a  child  by  him  and  lost  it,  and  that  the 
whole  story  was  a  lie,  and  that  the  certificate  which  they 
had  signed  and  given,  clearing  him  of  all  improper  coi*- 
duct,  was  true. 

Mr.  PelegFry  testified  that  Mr.  Baker  and  he  went 
to  Mr.  Gcet-'s  and  Mr.  Browning's  to  enquire,  [See 
page  90.] 

Samuel  Johnson^  Esq.  was  called,  but  it  being  late   at 


MEMOlKo.  Ml 

N.^ht,  ho  did  not  testify  ;  and  the  court  adjourned.  Mr. 
Johnson  had  come  from  Massachusetts  m  expectation 
that  no  collateral  testimony  would  be  admitted,  until  the 
main  facts  charged  toere  first  proved  ;  but  the  court  over- 
ruled, Asenath  was  not  called  upon  to  testify,  and  his 
testimony  was  not  necessary. 

Friday,  Oct.  Gth,  1826. 
Capt.  John  Townsend   testified,  that  Maria  A.    Smith 
came  to   his  house  last   Fehruary,    and  called  her  name 
Betsey  Payne  ;  she  said  she  wanted  to.  stay  there  a  few 
days  fill  she  could   get  an  opportunity  of  going  to  Hart- 
ford ;  but  he  soon  found  her  real   name  was   Maria  A. 
Smith  ;  that  she  told  him  what  she  had   testified    before 
Esq.  Coit  against  Mr.    Rogers  was  not  true  ;  that   she 
could  not  in  conscience  say  it   again,  for  she  had   never 
seen  or    known   any  improper  conduct   of  Mr.  Rogers, 
and  had  no  reason  to  think  that  the  charges  against  him' 
were  true;  that  if  she  did  not  testify  as  she  did  beforte  she 
should  be  prosecuted  for  perjury ;  if  she  did,  she  should  per- 
jure herself  again  and  condemn  the  innocent,  and  for  that 
reason  she  wanted  to  get  out  of  the  state  ;  that  she  was 
very  sorry  for  what  she  had  done  and  wanted  to  get  away; 
that  she  was  very  fearful  all  the  time  she  was  at  his  house 
that  some  one  would  be  after  her  from  Norwich.      Mr. 
Willoughby  and  his  wife  brought   her  there  ;  she   staid 
about  eight  or  ten  days  ;  her  conversation  and  behavior 
were  so  lacivious  with  his  young  man  and  before  his  chil- 
dren, that  he  would  not  have  her  in  his  house.      By  the 
court. — Did  you   inform  Mr.  Rogers  what  Maria  said  ? 
Ans.  I  did.     By  the  same. — Was  he  at  your  house  while 
she  was  there  ?     Ans.     He  was  not,  to  my  knowledge; 
and  I  have  no  knowledge  or  belief  that  he  knew  she  was 
coming   there,   or   had  been  there,  until   after  .she  waiJ 
gone. 

Joseph  R.  Willoughby  was  sworn.  He  kept  a  tavern 
in  Norwich,  where  the  Court  of  Inquiry  was  held,  and 
was  employed  by  me  to  go  and  summon  Maria  A.  Smith 
as  a  witness.  lie  testified  that  he  found  her  at  Williams' 
in  Groton,  and  summoned  her  and  paid  her  a  silver  dol- 
lar ;  that  she  appeared  very  reluctant  and  Tinwilling  to. 
go,  and  v/Lshed  to  speak  with   him  alone  ;  and   then   in 


Ill  MEMOIRS. 

formed  him  that  what  sho  had  testified  before  Esq.  Coit, 
at  his  house,  against  Mr.  Rogers,  was  not  true  ;  and 
that  she  could  not  in  conscience  say  it  again,  for  she  had 
never  seen  any  thing  amiss  in  him,  and  had  no  reason 
to  think  that  the  charges  against  him  iverctrue  ;  that  if  she 
went  to  the  court  and  did  not  testify  as  she  did  before, 
she  should  bo  prosecuted  and  fjiinished  for  perjury  ;  if 
she  did,  she  should  perjure  herself  again:  and  what  to 
do  she  did  not  know:  and  seemed  to  be  very  much  affec- 
ted. He  testified  that  he  felt  sorry  for  her,  and  advised 
her  to  go  home  with  him,  and  to  put  to  paper  what 
she  could  in  conscience  swear  to,  and  he  would  car- 
ry it  privately  to  Messrs.  Goddard  and  Gurley,  and 
let  her  know  what  they  said,  and  that  it  need  not  be 
known  that  she  was  there.  To  this  she  agreed  and 
came  home  with  hira,  and  soon  after  wrote  to  Messrs. 
Goddard  and  Gurley,  and  he  carried  it ;  that  they  said 
it  was  so  contrary  to  what  she  had  testified  before,  that 
she  certainly  would  bo  liable  to  prosecution  ;  and  this 
he  communicated  to  Maria,  who  from  that  time  appeared 
determined  not  to  appear  at  Court,  but  to  go  away.  He 
advised  her  to  stay  until  Mr,  Rogers  should  return,  who 
all  this  time  had  been  gone  a  journey.  [Here  Mr,  Gur- 
ley read  the  letter  which  ?«Iaria  had  written  and  offered 
to  swear  to  before  the  superior  court,  the  same  as  the 
deposition  page  98.  The  witness  testified  that  Maria 
appeared  to  be  very  fearful  of  having  it  known  that  she 
was  there,  and  kept  herself  mostly  confined  to  her  chani' 
ber,  though  she  eat  at  the  table  with  the  family  ;  that 
Mr,  Spencer  was  at  his  house  while  Maria  was  there, 
and  he  understood  that  he  had  a  capias  for  her  ;  that 
she  left  his  house  in  the  night,  and  the  next  he  heard  of 
her  she  was  in  Lebanon, 

Miss  Mai^  Jinn  fVilloitghby  was  sworn;  she  Vv'as  tho 
daughter  of  Mr,  J.  R.  Willoughby,  a  sensible,  well  edu- 
cated, respectable  and  worthy  young  woman,  about  twen- 
ty years  of  age;  she  testified  that  she  first  saw  Mari.i 
A.  Smith  at  the  binding  over  in  this  case;  that  she  a'tcr- 
wards  became  acquainted  with  her  v/hen  r  'v>  came  (•>  her 
father's  house  with  him  in  January,  1320;  that  sho  thett 
had  considerable  conversation  with  her,  and  at   diTereiit 


UEMOKtS.  Its 

times  on  the  case  of  Mr.  Rogers  ;  that  she  infomed  her 
that  she  had  never  seen  or  known  any  thing  amiss  or  im- 
proper in  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Rogers  ;  that  she  had  no 
reason  to  think  that  the  charges  against  him  were  true  , 
and  that  she  thought  he  was  a  very  clever  man.  The  wit- 
ness asked  her,  if  that  were  the  case,  how  she  came  to 
testify  as  she  did  at  the  binding  over?  that  she  then  said 
that,  at  that  time  she  took  a  false  oath  against  him  before 
Esq.  Coit,  and  that  old  Halsey,  Dr.  Dov/ner  and  Jim  Lan- 
man,  as  she  called  them,  had  overpersuaded  and  hired  her 
to  do  it;  and  that  she  was  determined  not  to  do  it  again, 
and  was  very  anxious  that  it  should  not  be  known  that  she 
was  there.  By  Mr.  Goddard.  Was  this  conversation  vol- 
untary on  the  part  of  Maria?  Ans.  Yes  sir,  entirely  so, 
and  she  often  repeated  it;  and  she  recollected  that  Maria 
wrote  ta  Mr.  Goddard  on  the  subject  :  that  her  father 
furnished  pen,  ink  and  paper ;  that  this  was  in  the  ab- 
sence of  Mr.  Rogers  ;  and  after  that,  she  was  anxious 
to  get  away,  and  was  very  fearful  of  being  found  by  Mr. 
Spencer,  for  she  said  he  was  a  cunning  devil.  By  Mr. 
Lanman. — Did  Rogers  put  up  at  your  house  at  this  time? 
Ana.  He  did :  but  was  absent  on  a  journey  and  did  not 
return  until,  I  think,  the  day  she  went  away.  By  the 
same. — Do  your  know  when  she  went  away  from  your 
house?  Ans.  I  do  not,  but  it  was  in  the  night,  and  I 
believe  alone. 

Mr.  Shipman  Haughton  testified,  that  Maria  A.  Smith 
eame  to  his  house  sometime  last  February  ;  that  he  had 
considerable  conversation  with  her  about  Mr.  Rogers  and 
a.sked  her  (when  they  were  alone)  to  tell  him  as  a  friend 
and  in  confidence^  Did  Mr.  Rogers  court  or  keep  private 
company  with  your  sister?  that  she  replied,  he  never  did. 
— Did  you  ever  see  them  in  bed  together  and  have  you 
any  reason  to  think  that  the  child  your  sister  was  like  to 
have  was  by  him?  that  she  answered,  I  have  once  said 
it,  but  I  never  shall  say  it  again.  He  then  asked  her  to 
tell  him  candidly  if  it  was  true  ?  that  she  then  declared  it 
was  not  true  ;  that  she  had  n^ver  seen  Mr.  Rogers  in 
bed  with  her  sister,  and  that  she  had  no  reason  to  think 
that  the  child  was  his  ;  that  she  had  often  seen   George 

10» 


tU  MEMOt 

Downer  in  bed  with  her,  and  she  had  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  the  child  was  his  ;  and  that  it  was  nothing  but 
a  plan  and  a  plot  of  old  Halsey,  Dr.  Downer,  and  James 
Lanman,  to  charge  it  falsely  upon  Mr.  Rogers,  to  ruin 
and  drive  him  off,  and  to  clear  George.  They  have  once 
overpersuaded  and  hired  me,  said  she,  to  take  a  false 
oath  against  hmi,  and  I  never  should  have  done  it  had 
it  not  been  for  them,  but  I  shall  never  say  it  again ; 
and  for  that  reason  she  appeared  very  anxious  to  get 
out  of  the  state,  and  that  it  should  not  be  known  where 
she  was.  By  Mr.  Goddard. — Have  you  seen  Maria 
since  you  came  to  town?  Ans.  Last  evening,  Esq.  Col- 
lins and  I  went  to  Frink's  Tavern,  where  she  stays  to 
see  her,  and  to  h«ar  what  she  would  say  ;  it  was  dark 
when  we  went  in,  and  Maria  was  talking  with  Col.  Hal- 
sey, and  appeared  to  be  very  angry,  and  reproached  him 
for  having  led  her  into  that  scrape,  and  said  she  should 
never  have  said  and  done  wlrat  she  did,  if  it  had  not  been 
for  him  ;  at  this  time  some  one  came  in  and  brought  a 
light,  which  interrupted  the  conversation. 

Seih  Collins,  Esq.  sworn.  He  testified  that  he  went 
with  Mr.  Haughton  the  last  evening  and  heard  and  knew 
that  to  be  true  which  he  had  testified,  respecting  what 
Maria  said  to  Col.  Halsey  ;  that  he  heard  her  tell  Col. 
Halsey  only  last  evening,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  coax- 
ing and  flattering  of  him  and  Dr.  Downer,  she  never 
should  have  been  in  that  unhappy  scrape,  and  blamed 
them  very  much  for  their  conduct. 

Witnesses  on  the  part  of  the  State  called  again. 

Maria  A.  Smith,  testified  that  it  was  true  that  she  said 
to  Col.  Halsoy  last  night  what  Esq.  Collins  and  Mr. 
Haughton  had  testified  ;  that  the  testimony  of  Mary 
Ann  Willoughby  and  her  father,  of  Capt.  Townsend,  Mr 
Haughton,  Esq.  Cook,  and  all  my  witnesses  was  true, 
but  evaded  the  force  of  it  by  some  apology  of  which  she 
and  every  body  else  ought  to  be  ashamed  ! 

Elias  Brewster  testified  that  he  lived  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Sam  and  Maria  ;  that  he  did  not  consider  him 
entitled  to  the  first  credit  ;  he  did  not  know  but  he  might 


MEMOIRS.  U6 

be  entitled  to  as  miich  credit  as  such  black  boys  in  gen- 
eral ;  that  he  did  not  personally  know  any  thing  against 
the  character  of  Maria  and  did  not  know  but  it  was  as 
good  as  people's  in  general  as  to  truth.  From  her  own 
testimony  before  the  court,  viz.  ihat  she  had  told  so  many 
different  stories,  and  had  contradicted  herself  so  often  on 
the  subject,  that  she  herself  did  not  think  her  testimony 
would  be  received — one  would  think  that  any  further  tes- 
timony to  prove  her  want  of  truth  would  be  unnecessary. 

John  C.  Baker  testified,  that  I  boarded  at  his  father's 
in  1819  ;  that  I  discovered  an  anxiety  to  see  Asenath, 
and  said  if  I  could  sec  her,  I  did  not  doubt  but  she  would 
tell  the  truth  and  expos©  the  plot  which  had  been  formed 
against  me. 

Mr.  Lanman  said,  may  it  please  the  court — I  deem  it 
my  duty  to  call  on  Col.  Halsey,  who  is  associated  with 
me  in  this  case,  as  a  witness. 

The  court  directed  him  to  be  sworn. 

Jeremiah  Halsey,  Esq.  testified,  that  on  the  11th  day 
of  October,  1813,  he  went  to  Elisha  Geer's  and  I  came 
there.  [This  is  false,  the  11th  day  of  October,  1818, 
was  Sunday,  and  I  preached  in  Hebron,  and  had  not  been 
in  Griswold  for  more  than  a  week;  The  11th  day  of 
October,  1817,  was  Saturday,  and  I  was  in  Hebron,  and 
on  that  day  agreed  with  Mr.  Bial  Bliss  to  keep  my  horse, 
the  next  day  was  Sunday,  and  I  preached  in  Hebron, 
and  had  not  been  in  Griswold  for  more  than  a  week.] 
He  testified  that  then  and  there  I  denied  that  I  had  ever 
courted  Asenath  C.  Smith  ;  that  he  ever  influenced  Ma- 
ria or  her  sister  in  any  part  of  this  case,  any  further 
than  to  promote  public  justice.  [He  had  offered  to  set- 
tle it  privately  if  I  would  give  him  ^400,  but  it  must  not 
be  known.]  He  testified  that  Maria  had  always  told 
the  same  story,  that  she  had  then  sworn  to  ;  some  one 
motioned  to  him  to  sit  down,  for  the  court  and  almost  all 
present  had  heard  her  confess  how  many  different  sto- 
ries she  had  told,  and  how  she  had  contradicted  herself 
on  the  subject. 

Mr.  Lanman  then  moved  to  prove  what  Asenath  had 
sworn  at  the  binding  over,  on  the  ground  that  it  went  to 
corroborate  the  testimony  of  Maria.     To  this  Mr  God- 


IIB  UEMOKtSf. 

(lard  objected,  and  informed  the  court  that  Asenath  wm 
then  in  town,  and  could  testify  for  herself  The  court 
decided  that  it  was  not  admissible  to  prove  what  she  had 
said  when  she  was  there,  and  could  speak  for  herself. 

Br.' Downing  was  called  again,  and  testified  that  frojn 
the  putrified  state  of  the  foetus  he  could  give  no  partic- 
ular description  of  it. 

Dr.  Mercer,  sworn.     [Mr.  Lanman  had  given  to  Ma- 
ria a  paper  folded  up  with  something  in  it ;  and  he  beck- 
oned her  to  give  it  to  him  before  the  court  and  jury  with- 
out saying  a    Vvord  ;  and    he  opened   and  gave  it   to  the 
Doctor,  saying,  Do  you  believe  that  to  be   ergot  ?    This 
certainly  was  one   of  the  greatest   acts  of  injustice    and 
abuse  that  ever  was  practiced  upon  any  man,  in  any    coun- 
try ;  there    was   no   pretence    of  evidence,   and   it  was 
not  true  that  I  ever  saw  that  stuff  before,  or  that  1    ever 
had  it  in  my  possession:  or  that  I  ever  saw,  or  had  in  my 
possession  any  thing  like  it  ;  iriight  he   not   as  well    (to 
prejudice  the  jury)  have  brought  into  court    a   case    of 
surgical  instruments,  or  an  apothecary's  shop,   and  had 
them  examined  ?  I  do  complain  of  abuse  and    injustice, 
and  I  appeal  to  the  whole  world,  if  I  have  not  reason  to 
complain  ?  Where  is  there  a  man   or    woman  on  earth 
who  would  not  complain  of  abuse  and   injustice,   if  they 
were  treated  in  this  manner  ?]  and  how  unjust  it  was  for 
the  court  to   permit    it  !    The  Doctor   testified  that  he 
thought  the  paper  contained  a  mixture  of  ergot  and  can- 
tharides.     By  Lanman. — If  violence  is  used  to   produce 
an  abortion,  how  long  would  it  be  before  it  took    place  ? 
y\.ns.  Sometimes  immediately,  or  within  a  few  hours,  sel- 
dom longer  than  forty-eight  hours. 

Dr.  S.  Perkins,  sworn  ;  he  testified  that  the  paper 
contained  ergot  and  cantharides,  and  agreed  with  Dr. 
Mercer.  Lanman  had  artfully  got  this,  to  palm  a  trick 
upon  the  jury,  gave  it  to  Maria,  requested  her  to  give  it 
to  him  before  the  jury,  had  it  examined  before  them  and 
sworn  to,  in  order  to  give  them  a  false  impression  that  it 
had  been  in  my  possession — any  man  who  would  do 
such  a  thing,  or  any  judge  who  would  permit  it,  ought  to 
be  made  a  public  e.yample  of  rascality  and  contempt  ! 
And  then  the  te.stimonv  on  both  sides  was   closed  :  and 


SEMOIRS.  217 

I  have  represented  it  not  fully  bat  fairly  against  me,  and 
for  me,  as  it  related  to  this  case,  and  as  it  was  then  de- 
livered in  court,  on  trial,  (if  it  can  be  called  a  trial)  on 
the  information,  according  to  my  best  recollection,  and 
according  to  mv  journal  written  at  that  time.  No  one 
crime  charged  in  the  information  was  true,  nor  proved, 
nor  even  altempted  to  be  proved  by  any  wifness  whatever. 
I  appeal  to  every  juryman,  I  appeal  to  every  person  in 
the  world  to  say,  if  from  the  evidence  then  delivered  in 
court,  any  one  crime  charged  in  the  information  against 
me,  was  proved  by  any  witness  whatever  ;  turn  to  the 
information,  and  then  examine  the  testimony  ;  who  tes- 
tified there  in  the  trial  before  the  court,  to  the  truth  of 
any  crime  charged  upon  me? 

COUNSEL. 
Col,  Halsey,  in  a  very  awkward,  clumsy  manner,  go  I 
up  and  opened  the  argument,  by  endeavouring  to  apolo- 
gize for  Maria  and  the  negro,  and  to  make  it  appear 
that  they  ought  to  be  believed  ;  and  although  it  did  not 
prove  the  facts  charged  in  the  information  ;  yet  it  proved 
something  ;  and  then  taking  it  for  granted  that  the  char- 
ges were  true,  he  undertook  without  logick,  rhetorick, 
or  elegance,  to  describe  the  enormity  of  the  crime  charg- 
ed ;  when  he  himself  had  been  accused  of  more  adulte- 
ry, of  more  seduction,  and  of  more  fornication  and  de- 
bauchery than  any  man  who  ever  lived  in  Preston  ;  and 
I  appeal  to  every  person,  man  or  woman  in  that  town, 
for  the  truth  of  what  I  say. 

Mr.  Cleavland  then  arose,  and  in  a  smooth,  easy  ad- 
dress, attempted  to  shew  that  no  crime  charged  in  the 
information  had  been  proved  by  any  witness  then  ad- 
duced in  court,  and  recapitulated  the  testimony,  and 
said  that  there  was  no  evidence  before  the  court  that  I 
ever  had  been  informed,  or  did  know  that  the  said  Ase- 
nath  was,  or  had  been  like  to  have  a  child  by  any  per- 
son, until  long  after  the  supposed  child  was  born:  Tha{ 
the  Doctor  himself,  who  delivered  her,  who  seemed  in 
favor  of  the  prosecution,  had  testified,  and  it  was  in  evi- 
dence before  the  court,  that  he  saw  no  marks  of  violence 
upon  the  child,  (if  it  was  one,)  or  upon  the  mother,  and 
ihat  it  might  have  been  produced   by  sickness,   by  acci- 


lis  MEMOIRS. 

dent  or  by  infirmity  ;  and  he  took  it  upon  himself  to  say, 
that  there  was  no  evidence  before  the  court  that  it  was 
not  produced  in  that  way.  He  then  showed  the  improb- 
ability of  the  truth^  of  Maria's  testimony.  Would  any 
mother,  would  any  decent  family,  would  IMr.  Perry 
dark  and  his  family,  have  suffered  any  man  to  be  shut 
up  alone,  night  and  day  in  a  chamber,  with  fastened 
doors,  and  none  of  the  family  admitted  into  the  room 
with  this  young  woman,  from  Tuesday  till  Saturday,  and 
no  one  say  a  word  against  it  ?  Would  a  mother  have 
heard  the  dreadful  shriek  which  Maria  had  described, 
gone  to  the  chamber,  found  it  fastened,  obtained  ad- 
mittance, seeing  her  daughter  lying  on  a  bed,  and  Mr. 
Rogers  standing  and  holding  a  sheet  over  her  face,  say- 
ing she  had  got  the  hysterics,  and  he  would  take  care  of 
her,  then  go  down  and  leave  them,  all  that  night,  all  the 
next  day,  and  all  the  next  night  .''  the  story  is  a  lie  ir.  it 
self!  no  mother  on  earth  would  suffer  such  a  things  no 
family  would  permit  it  ;  and  after  all,  the  mother  and 
Maria  herself,  and  all  the  family  did,  to  Mr.  Baker  and 
Mr.  Fry,  in  one  instance,  and  to  Esq.  Cook  and  Mr. 
Rose,  in  another  instance,  solemnly  declare  that  they 
knew  no  impropriety  of  conduct  in  Mr.  Rogers  ;  that 
he  had  never  been  there  courting,  but  only  as  a  clergy- 
man and  a  friend  ;  that  they  never  had  any  expectation 
that  he  would  marry  the  young  woman  ;  and  after  all, 
Maria  has  volunteered  her  service,  and  come  from  Mas- 
sachusetts, for  she  was  not  obliged  to  come,  to  testify 
these  disgraceful  things  against  her  sister,  and  in  the 
very  act  of  doing  it,  has  sworn  that  she  herself  has  told 
so  many  different  stories,  and  has  contradicted  herself 
so  often  on  the  subject,  that  she  herself  did  not  think 
her  testimony  would  be  received  :  astonishing  impu- 
dence !  unspeakable  depravity  !  and  are  our  courts  of 
law  to  be  insulted  in  this  way  ?  will  the  jury  place  any 
confidence  in  a  witness  of  this  cast  ?  [0  Dii  immortalcs ! 
ubinain  gentium  sumus  !  quam  Kempubiican  habemus!]  i. 
e.  O,  Immortal  Gods  !  what  nation  are  we  .''  what  repub- 
lic have  we  ?  No  man  aught  to  be  condemned  or  acquit- 
ted on  the  testimony  of  such  a  witness  :  and  take  away 
her  testimony,  what    is  tiiere   against    my   client  ?  The 


MEMOIRS.  119 

»  ■■ 

te^'tuTiony  of  Sam  the  negro,  if  true,  proves  improper 
ccxnduct,  but  does  not  prove  the  charges  in  the  informa- 
tion. But  the  question  is,  whether  it  is  to  be  believed  ; 
Esq.  Cook  testifies  that  his  master  said  he  was  a  poor, 
lying,  good-for-nothing  fellow,  and  that  he  could  not 
believe  him  when  he  was  sent  on  a  common  eirand — o 
fins  witness  to  be  brou2;ht  before  the  Superior  Court  to  de- 
stroy a  respectable  clergyman!  Mr.  Brewster,  who  is 
brought  here  on  purpose  to  support  his  character,  swears 
he  does  not  consider  him  entitled  to  the  first  credit  ;  and 
is  it  probable  that  a  clergyman  would  be  seen  lying  in 
bed  with  an  unmarried  woman  in  open  day  light,  at  sun 
half  an  hour  high,  with  the  door  open — I  ask  you,  gen- 
tlemen of  the  jury,  is  this  probable  r"  Is  it  true  ?  Well, 
take  away  the  testimony  oi'  Maria  and  the  negro,  (which 
if  admitted  doea  not  prove  any  one  charge  contained  in 
the  information)  and  what  is  there,  I  beseech  you^  against 
my  client  ?  The  testimony  on  the  part  of  the  prisoner 
is  conclusive.  The  young  woman  herself,  her  mother, 
and  Maria  herself,  her  grand-father,  and  uncle  Clark, 
and  all  the  family  have,  in  words  and  in  writing,  at  differ- 
ent times,  and  on  different  occasions,  and  to  different 
persons  and  committees,  fully  cleared  him  of  these  crimes 
now  charged  upon  him,  and  of  every  other  impropriety 
of  conduct  ;  and  never  did  accuse  him  until  1819,  two 
years  afterwards  ;  this,  gentlemen,  is  in  proof  before 
you  by  the  most  indubitable  testimony,  by  James  Cook, 
Esq.  by  Mr.  Baker  and  Mr.  Fry.  If  on  the  whole,  you, 
gentlemen  of  the  Jury,  from  the  evidence  now  before 
you,  think  that  the  prisoner  at  the  bar  is  guilty  of  the 
crimes  charged  upon  him,  in  the  manner  and  form  of 
the  information,  you  will  say  so  on  your  oath,  and  he 
must  suffer  the  consequence  :  but  if  you  think  that  the 
evidence  now  delivered  in  court  does  not  prove  that  he 
committed  the  crimes  now  charged  upon  him,  and  in  the 
manner  and  form  stated  in  the  information,  you  will  say 
on  your  oath  that  he  is  not  guilty,  and  he  will  be  ac- 
quitted with  honor.  The  foregoing  are  not  the  words  of 
Mr.  Cleavelard,  but  the  substance  of  what  he  did  say, 
and  of  what  I  think  he  shottld  have  said,  if  h9  intended 
to  defend  his  client. 


130  MEMOIRS. 

Mr.  Goddard  then  arose,  and  addressed  the  court  in 
a  sensible,  elegant  and  well  arranged  argument,  recapi- 
tulating the  testimony,  and  showing  the  insuflicicncy  of 
the  evidence  to  piov.j  an/  one  crime  iu  the  information, 
aii^l  the  sufficiency  i.  f  the  evidence  to  evince  my  inno- 
cence, drawn  from  thv~  repeated  confessions  of  Asenath 
herself,  and  of  the  whi.  le  family,  and  the  long  time  be- 
Ibre  the  charges  were  brought.  He  insisted  on  the  in- 
justice of  admitting  the  testimony  of  Maria  after  the 
confessions  which  she  had  mr-de  in  court  ;  and  after  her 
letter  in  her  own  hand  writing,  which  was  proved  by  Mr. 
Willoughby  and  his  daughter,  to  have  been  written  in 
my  absence  was  read  ;  in  this  she  confessed  that  what 
she  had  testified  in  this  case  heiore  Esq.  Coit,  she  could 
not  in  conscience  say  again,  that  she  had  no  reason  to 
think  the  charges  were  true,  &c.  [?i'%  ray  counsel  did 
nnt  hriagforxoard  he.r  dcpiitions  I  hate  never  been  able 
to  learn.']  Mr.  Goddard  »usistcd  on  it,  that  there  was 
no  evidence  that  any  crime,  as  cliars^cd  in  the  informa- 
tion, had  been  conmitted  by  any  vne  ;  and  until  that  was 
first  pro -ed,  all  other  testimony  v/aii  irrelevant.  That 
the  testimony  of  Maria  ought  not  to  be  admitted  m  any 
case,  and  that  thejuiy  ought  not  to  place  a.ay  coriiidence 
in  it  ;  he  said  expressly  that  no  man  ought  to  be  con- 
demned on  such  testimony,  and  t:.c  negio  story  carried 
its  own  refutation  in  itself,  for  that  no  m^n  ip  his  scnset 
would  be  in  that  situation  ;  iiis  argymeat  was  cool,  col- 
lected, fair,  and  dispassionate,  s^ud  he  subniitted  it  to  tho 
consciences  of  the  jury  tp  say,  if  frym  the  evidence  thea 
delivered  in  court,  it  v/t\3  proved  that. any  cringe,  as 
charged  in  the  informatiofi,  had  oggm  <;^mrflitted  by  lac  ; 
he  said,  if  it  was  irue,  it  was  not  proved  j  mid  he  took 
it,  that  they  ought  to  render  a  vpjrdiciV^QCortiing  to  what 
was  then  in  court  proved.  , 

Mr.  Lawman  thon  aroijctp  elogatbe^fguipent;  he  wa.t 
wellJprepared,  and  displayed  alUheaTt,  all  the  sophistry ., 
and  all  the  ability  which  he  pQssesstid,  he  had  told  me  ir, 
so  many  words,  \ihcil  he  w«s  (i^ej-mtji^d  lo  drive  mc  out  of 
Iht  ministry  and  out  of  the  siai^.']  lie  had  boon  tii  Eh- 
sha  Goer's,  about  eight  miles,  aud  Qigsetod  with  Asenath 
C  Smith  fiom  .'ibout   two  or  three  o'clock  in   the   after- 


MEMomar.  121 

noon,  uniil  nine  or  ten  o'clock  at  night,  and  had   proirns- 
ed  nor  honor,  friendship,  protection,  secrecy  and  safety, 
zF  she  would  swoar  these  crimes  upon  me  ;  she  consent- 
ed and  did  it  ;  she  was  then  confined  and  guarded  night 
and  day,  at  the  widow  Lester's  in   Grisvvoid,   from  Aprii 
tijl  Sept.  v.hen  slie  obtained  permission  to  go    to  Hamp- 
ton, about   14  miies   on  a  visit,   and  the  very   next   day 
went  before  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  made  solemn  oath 
that    these    crimes  charged    upon    me,    relative   to  her, 
jV.ere  whc*Iy,  utterly,  and  absolutely  lalse  and  unjust,  Bnd 
that  she  had  been  overpersuaded  and   wickedly  induced 
to  charge  them  upon  me  falsely,  for  v/ hich  she  was  then 
very  sorry.   She  had  constantly  and  unifoimly  adhered  to 
this,  and  was  Ijien  at  court   in   town,    ready  and    willing 
to  testily  the   same   on   trial.       I>laria   had  also  confes- 
sed that  she  had   taken  a  false  oath    against  me    wlien  I 
was  bound    over;  that   old    Halsey,    Dr.    Downer,  and 
James  Lannian  had  overpersuaded    and  hired   her  to  do 
it  ; — she  had  been  before  Denison    Palmer,    Esq.    and 
made    solemn  oath,   when   I  was  not  within  30  miles  of 
her  :  that  she  had  no  reason  to  believe  that  the  charges 
against    me  were  true,  her  sister  told  her  soon  after    the 
death   of  her   mother    while    she    was    confined   at  the- 
widow  Lester's  that  the    charges    against   me  were   not 
true;    that  she    was   sorry    for  what   she  had  testified^ 
and  was  determined  not  to  say   it  again,   and  wanted  to 
leave  that  place.     Maria  had  constantly  for  about  twelve 
months  declared  her  full   belief  of  my  innocence  of  the 
crimes  charged  against  me.     ]Mr.  Lanman,  had  now  got 
her  into  his  possession  again,  she  had  recanted  and  told 
the  story  which  Halsey  dictated,  Downer  wrote,  and  he 
and  they  had  induced   her  to  swear   to   and  which  was 
false — but   he  must  now  make  the  best  of  it.      After  an 
apology,  and  a  profession  of  his   pretended   feeling,   he 
related  the  story  as  it  was  contrived  and  laid  out   before 
the  court  of  inquiry,  of  a  young  female,  seduced  by  a 
clergyman,  begotten  with  child,  poisonous  portions  of  er- 
got administered,  a  deadly  instrument  used,  the  child  de- 
stroyed in  embryo,  she   languishing,   sickening,  dying  ; 
(not  one   word  of  which  was   then  in    proof  before   the 
court,  not  CiO  word  of  it  was  true,)  O,  that  he  was  made 
11 


122  MEMOIRS 

of  a  stronger  texture  !  O,  that  hits  nerves  were  iron  ( 
In  this  way  he  arrested  the  attention  of  all  who  were 
present  :  he  weeps,  he  sobs,  he  wipes  his  eyes,  and  ap- 
peals to  the  leelings  ot"  humanity,  he  appeals  to  the  pa* 
ternal  affection  ot"  every  parent  present,  to  the  feelings 
of  every  mother,  of  every  brother,  of  every  sister  in  the 
world.  The  jury  are  all  in  tears,  the  judge  himself 
v/eeps,  and  not  a  heart  which  does  not  burn  wilh  indig- 
nation  against  the  wretch  who  would  do  these  things  ; 
they  forget  the  testimony,  they  are  ready  to  catch  at  ev-* 
ery  straw,  they  are  ready  to  believe  any  thing  •  the  tes- 
timony of  JMaria  is  then  recapitulated  and  dressed  in  the 
most  glaring  colors,  the  negro  story  is  repeated  ;  the 
swamp  story,  the  dismal  swamp  story — horribile  dictu  ! 
et  amplius  mirabile  visu  !  that  is,  horrible  to  be  told,  ami 
more  horribU  to  be  seen,  was  portrayed  in  the  gloom  of 
death."  In  faot  it  appeared  to  me  that  Mr.  Lanman  ex- 
erted himself  in  every  way,  par  fas  et  nefas,  i.  e.  right  or 
wrong  to  answer  his  purpose.  To  beat,  to  come  ofi* 
conqueror,  in  this  case,  would  gratify  the  feelings  of 
all  in/  political,  religious,  and  personal  enemies;  of  them 
he  would  reap  the  plaudit,  well  done;  he  would  reap 
fame,  honor,  renown!  to  be  conquered,  he  would  be  de- 
spised by  all.  Towards  the  close  of  his  plea,  he  wishec 
to  introduce  Maria  before  the  court  again,  and  it  if 
thought  that  she  understood  the  case.  He  stated  some' 
thing  which  he  said  she  testified  about  ray  coming  there? 
in  the  night  and  advising  Asenath  to  go  av.'ay;  my 
counsel  objected,  and  said  she  did  not  say  so.  Thii 
atTorded  the  opportunity  he  wanted  of  calling  her  agaii, 
betore  the  court.  The  case  rested  almost  wholly  on  he^ 
testimony,  and  he  closed  with  a  few  remarks  that  al* 
though  there  was  no  direct  proof  of  the  crimes  char- 
ged upon  me,  yet  the  circumstances,  (tounded  on  th<* 
testimony  of  Maria  and  Sam)  were  sufficient  to  convince 
every  person  present  that  I  was  guilty,  and  he  e.xpected 
the  jury  would  find  me  so.  I  do  not  pretend  that  I  have 
repeated  the  words  of  Mr.  Lanman  but  I  have  endeav- 
ored tx*  represent  the  manner  in  which  I  thought  he  man- 
aged this  case  ;  that  he  raised  a  frightful  and  pitiful  im- 
age which  did  not  exist  in  truth  or  m  evidence — that  he 


MEMOIRS.  123 

mourned  over  it  himself — that  he  called  forth  the  sympa- 
thy and  compassion  of  the  court  and  jury,  and  excited  a 
Jiigh  indignation  whereby  they  are  ready  to  believe  any 
thing,  and  to  punish  the  least  appearance  of  guilt  in  tins 
case,  and  to  construe  circumstances  into  the  appearance 
of  guilt  where  there  was  none. 

Soo7i  after  the  pleadings  were  closed,  J  said, 
3Iay  it  please  the  court — I  stand  here  accused  of 
crimen  which  never  came  into  my  mind,  at  which  my 
Jieart  revolts,  which  are  disgraceful  and  shocking  to  hu- 
manity, and  of  which,  Sir,  I  am  absolutely  as  innocent 
as  your  honor  the  judge,  or  as  either  of  you,  gentlemen 
of  the  jury.  The  person,  on  whose  oath  I  was  bound 
over  for  trial  and  on  whose  oath  I  ought  to  be  condemn- 
ed or  acquitted,  the  only  person  in  the  world  who  can  be 
supposed  to  know  and  testify  whether  the  crimes  charg- 
ed upon  me  were  true  or  false,  is  now  in  town,  and  is 
ready  and  willing  to  testify  my  entire  innocence,  and  to 
explain  every  circumstance  on  which  even  a  presump- 
tion of  guilt  can  rest  upon  me,  and  I  now  move  that  her 
testimony  may  be  admitted  and  heard.  By  the  judge — 
Where  is  she  .-*  Ans.  Within  a  few  rods  of  this  place, 
and  can  be  here  in  a  very  few  moments.  By  the  same 
— Why  have  you  not  offered  her  before  ? — Ans.  Be- 
cause she  was  not  my  witness,  but  the  principal  witness 
on  the  part  of  the  prosecution,  and  I  did  suppose  ihat 
(he  court  wmdd  require  the  highest  evidence  in  the  case,  and 
that  she  must  and  would  be  called  upon  by  the  State's 
Attorney  ;  in  that  case  she  would  have  disclosed  the 
whole  plan  and  the  means  used  to  effect  it.  By  the 
judge — I  do  not  know,  it  is  a  novel  case,  you  have  had  a 
hearing  of  two  days,  and  you  have  had  an  opportunity  of 
bringing  her  forward.  Ans.  And  so  has  ]\Ir.  Lanman:  if 
he  had  brought  her  forward,  she  could  have  told  the  whole 
truth  and  he  could  not  have  contradicted  it.  If  I  had 
trought  her  forward,  he  could  have  proved  what  she  was 
induced  to  testify  at  the  binding  over,  and  I  could  not 
impeach  or  contradict  my  own  witness  :  and,  Sir,  in  this 
uay  I  am  deprived  of  the  constitutional  right  of  confronting 
the  principal  witness  against  me.  By  the  judge,  to  IMr 
Cleveland.     Have  you  any  thing  to  say  on  this  subject  .*' 


124  MEMOIP.S. 

Ans.     The  counsel  for  ?»Ir.  Rogers  have  advised  hui:k  not 
to  bring   her  forward,    but   I  should  be  sorry  to  have  his 
interest   suffer  by    the    advice    of  liis  counsel.     By   the 
judge,  to  Mr.  Isham — I  see  that  Mr.  Lanman  is  absent, 
and  you  have  been  employed  in  this  case,    what   do  you 
say  to   this  application.'     Ans.     I  am   confident  if  Mr. 
Lanman  were  present,  he  would  object  to  it  ;    and  in  his 
absence  I  do  object.     By  the  judge — She  cannot  be  ad- 
mitted.— I  then  replied — I  shall  tliink  it  very  hard  to  be, 
condemned  with  the  undeniable  and  irresistible  evidence 
of  ray  innocence  by  my  side,  ready  and  willing  to  testify, 
but  rejected  by  the   court  merely  because   she  was   not 
offered  a  little  sooner.     Mr.  Lanman  introduced  Maria 
to  testify  after  my  counsel    had   closed   their  pleadings. 
By  the  judge — she    cannot   be  admitted.     This  is   the 
substance  and  in  many  respects  the    very  words   which 
passed  between  me  and  the  judge  at  this  time.     He  had 
before  admitted  collateral  testimony  before  the  main  facts 
were  proved. — He  had  refused  to  send  for  Lester  Clark, 
w'ho  would   have  destroyed  the   testimony   of  Maiia   A. 
Smith,    on   which  I  was  condemned  ;    he    had    directed 
them  to  proceed  in  the  trial  while  the  papers   and   docu- 
ments, which  were  delivered  in  evidence  to  the  justice  at 
the  binding  over,  were  withheld  and  concealed.     And  he 
now  proceeded  to  charge  the  juiy  in  a  manner,  which  I 
appeal  to  a  candid  and  enlightened    public  to    say,  if  it 
was  not  highly  objectionable. 

The  judge  then  arose, 
And  gave  what  some  called  a  charge  to  .the,  jury  ; 
but  he  did  not  charge  them  to  inquire  on  their  oath  \i 
the  crimes  charged  in  the  information  were  true  asthere-^ 
in  contained  and  set  forth.  He  dwelt  largely  upon  tho 
testimony  of  Doct.  Dov/!iing,  Maria,  and  Sam  the  negro; 
He  had  excluded  the  testimony  of  Asenath,  he  had  re-, 
tused  to  send  for  a  witness  in  my  fovor,  he  proceeded  ir| 
the  trial  when  he  was  informed  and  well  knew,  that  doc^ 
uments,  important  documents,  the  undeniable  evidence 
of  my  innocence  were  withheld  and  concealed.  For  Sd 
years  he  had  been  my  personal    ene:ny   and  persecutorj 


MEMOIRS.  125 

and  he  now  exercised  official   power  to  gratify  personal 
ieeling,  than  which  nothing  can  be  more  oppressive  !* 
Saturday,  October  7th,  1820, 

The  court  met  according  to  adjournment  ;  the  jury  at 
about  eleven  o'clock  came  in  after  having  been  out  one 
night  and  part  of  one  day  and  declared  me  guilty.  Mr. 
Goddard  then  moved  for  a  new  trial  on  the  ground  that 
there  was  no  evidence  that  the  crimes  charged  in  the 
inforniation  had  ever  been  committed  by  any  person  \ 
on  the  ground  that  there  was  no  proof  against  me, 
which  ought  to  be   regarded. 

In  both  cases  the  court  overruled,  and  would  not  grant 
a  new  trial.  I  did  expect  that  he  would  have  moved  for 
a  new  trial  on  the  ground  that  important  documents  had 
been  withheld  and  concealed  :  on  the  ground  that  Mr. 
Perry  Clark  and  his  wife  were  out  of  the  state  and  their 
testimony  could  not  be  had  ;  on  the  ground  that  I  had 
been  deprived  of  the  constitutional  right  of  confronting 
the  principal  witness  against  me,  and  of  compulsory  pro- 
cess to  obtain  a  witness  necessary  in  my  defence.  He 
did  take  exceptions  to  the  words  of  the  information,  but 
here  again  the  judge  overruled. 

The  court  adjourned  till  one  o'clock,  then  to  meet  at 
the  Judge's  chamber  at  Shepherd's  hotel.  At  one  o''dock 
the  court  ivas  called  in  the  Judge''s  private  chamher.  I  ap- 
peared. The  Judge  said,  you  stand  charged  with  a  most 
heinous  offence  ;  the  jury  have  declared  you  guilty.  It 
now  devolves  upon  me  to  pronounce  the  sentence  ;  this 
is  a  matter  of  discretion  with  the  court.  I  understand 
that  you  have  children  who  are  well  educated  and  res- 
pectable, and  I  am  inclined  to  mercy  so  far  as  is  consis- 

*  If  the  Judge  assume  the  power  of  .idmitting  and  excluding  fromthe  Jury, 
such  evidence  as  liis  own  personal  feelings  may  suggest,  and  they  be  bound 
by  oath  to  render  a  verdict  according  to  the  evidence  tlien  delivered  in  court; 
it  is  evident  that  the  right  of  trial  by  a  Jury  is  perverted!  In  this  case  tlie 
principal  witness  was  excluded,  see  page  141,  important  papers  aud  docu- 
Hients  were  withheld  and  concealed,  see  page  104,  a  trick  was  permitted  to 
lie  palmed  upon  the  Jury,  see  page  116,  a  perjured  person  and  a  lying,  thiev- 
isii  negro  were  permitted  to  testify,  and  I  was  declared  guilty  of  crimes 
which  never  came  into  my  mind,  of  which  I  was  as  innocent  as  the  Judge  who 
pronounced  the  sentence,  or  as  any  other  person  in  the  world,  and  which 
never  were  charged  u.pon  me  until  two  years  after  they  were  said  to  have 
been  committed. 

•  11* 


12«  MEMOIRS. 

tent  with  the  welfare  of  society.  The  sentence  of  the 
coJ>"t  therefore  is,  that  ijou  be  impisoned  in  JYbrivich  Jail, 
without  bail  or  mainprize,  for  the  term  of  two  years.  Lan- 
man,  the  state's  attorney,  who  had  maUciously  broughl 
this  prosecution,  and  was  one  of  the  three,  that  had  over- 
persuaded  and  hired  them  to  swear  falsely  against  me. 
standing  by,  exulting  and  triumphing  over  his  unfortu- 
nate and  distressed  victim,  said  to  the  Judge,  I  suppose 
you  mean  Newgate;  but  the  Judge,  who  had  been  coun- 
sel against  me  in  the  county  of  Fairfield,  had  opposed  me 
in  the  convention  of  ths  Episcopal  church,  and  was  con- 
sidered by  me  as  my  personal,  political  and  religious  en- 
emy, and  who  in  this  very  case  I  considered  as  having 
acted  very  unfairly,  was  yet  more  merciful,  and  said,  no 
I  mean  Norwich. 

I  then  addressed  the  court  in  these  words  :  I  thank 
the  court  for  shewing  some  degree  of  mercy,  when  it  was 
in  your  power  to  have  gone  further;  but  that  God  who 
knows  the  hearts  of  all  men,  knows  that  I  am  as  innocent 
of  the  crimes  charged  upon  me  as  your  honor  the  Judge 
or  as  either  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  who  have  de- 
clared me  guilty.  I  think  that  they  have  been  misled, 
and  have  declared  me  guilty  without  evidence,  and  i 
knovv  without  truth.  From  the  sentence  now  pronoun- 
ced upon  me,  I  appeal  to  the  righteous  tribunal  of  Heav- 
en, there  you  and  I  must  appear,  and  then  it  will  be 
k<.novvn  that  you  have  condemned  the  innocent,  and  that  I 
suffer  unjustly.  In  the  mean  time,  I  submit  myself  to 
every  insult,  to  every  abuse,  and  to  every  injustice, 
which  can  be  loaded  upon  me.  Much  better  men  than 
any  of  us  have  suffered  before  me  ! 

I  then  settled  my  business  at  the  tavern  where  I  and 
my  witnesses  put  up — committed  my  horse  and  carriage 
to  the  care  of  my  good  friend  Seth  Collins,  Esq.  got  in- 
to a  wagon  with  a  Mr.  Reed,  was  accompanied  by  a  dep- 
uty sheriff,  went  to  Norwich,  about  13  miles,  gave  my- 
self up  to  the  Jailer,  and  was  locked  up,  where  I  remain- 
ed seven  hundred  and  thirty  one  days,  without  ever  put- 
ting my  foot  on  the  ground,  having  the  compassion  of 
my  friends,  and  suffering  the  insults  and  abuse  of  my  en- 
cmic?. 


MEMOIRS.  ISn 

Here  I  am  in  jail,  who  have  roceived  the  honors  of  one 
of  the  first  universities  iii  America,  who  was  ordained  in 
Trinity  church  in  tha  city  of  New- York,  constantly  a 
member  of  the  convention  of  the  Episcopal  church  in 
that  state,  ihreo  years  a  member  of  the  general  conven- 
tion of  the  United  States,  who  have  preached  with  ap-  . 
probation  in  all  the  principal  towns  and  cities  in  tho 
northern  and  eastern  states,  who  have  enjoyed  all  the 
honors  and  degrees  of  freemasonry,  who  am  now  a  mem- 
ber of  the  corporation  of  Union  College  in  the  city  of 
Schenectady,  and  was  one  of  its  first  founders*  who 
was  settled  as  a  minister  in  my  native  town  and  state, 
without  so  mucli  as  one  dissenting  voice  and  vote;  who 
have  performed  more  ministerial  duties  than  almost  any 
other  clergyman  in  the  United  States,  Avho  have  always^ 
endeavoured  to  give  the  best  instructions,  and  set  the 
best  example  in  my  pov/er,  and  to  have  always  a  con- 
science void  of  offence  towards  God  and  towards  man  ! 
Because  I  thought  it  best  for  the  Episcopalians  to  unite 
with  the  republicans  of  Connecticut  and  to  do  away  the 
offensive  blue-laws  of  the  state,  and  that  all  denomina 
tions  should  enjoy  equal  rights  and  privileges  according 
to  their  several  capacities  and  stations;  I  was  forbid  to 
preach  in  the  state,  without  hearing  or  trial,  and  actually 
without  my  knowledge.  I  was  sued  nine  times  for  not 
regarding  that  prohibition,  was  persecuted  for  more 
than  seven  long  years  in  Fairfield  county;  I  was  refus- 
ed a  seat  in  the  convention  of  my  own  church  in  the 
state,  though  they  acknowledged  and  confessed  that  they 
had  nothing  against  me,that  my  character  and  authority 
were  good,  but  I  was  a   republican  in  principle,  I  teas 

♦University  of  the  state  of  New-York,  October  28,  1831. 
— I  certify  the  following  to  be  a  true  list  of  names  of  the  Trustees  of  Unioit 
College,  in  the  city  of  Schenectady,  as  named  in  the  original  charter, 
(framed  1795,)  viz.  Robert  Yates,  Abraham  Yates,  jun.  Abram  Ten 
Brook,  Goldsbrow  Banyad,  John  V.  Henry,  George  Merchant,  Stephen 
Van  Ra.nselear,  John  Glen,  Isaac  Vrooman,  Joseph  C.  Yates,  James 
Shuter,  Nicholas  Veeder,  James  Gordon,  Beriah  Palmer,  Samuel  Smitli, 
Henry  Watton,  Ammi  Rogers,  Aaron  Condict,  Jacobus  V.  C.  Romeyiv 
James  Cochran,  John  Frye,  D.  Christopher  Peek,  Jonas  Piatt,  and  Jonaa 
Coe. 

GIDEON  HAWLEY, 
Secretary  of  the  Regents  of  the  University  of  New- York,  183U 


i^  MEMOIRS. 

opposed  to  a  union  of  church  and  state,  and  had  offered  tiy 
change  the  laws  and  customs  of  the  state,  in  taxing  evenj 
body  to  support  one  particular  denomination  unless  they 
%oould  acknowledge  themselves  dissenters. 

The  Judge  himself,  on  my  trial,  had  been  employed 
as  a  lawyer  against  me,  for  many  years  in  the  county  of 
Fairfield  ;  and  for  almost  20  years  had  been  one  of  my 
principal  opposers — was  prejudiced  against  me,  and  not 
fit  to  judge  a  case  where  I  was  concerned,  if  only  one 
dollar  was  depending,  much  less  where  character,  pro- 
fession, liberty  and  every  thing  valuable  in  life  \vere  at 
stake.  My  counsel  did  not  defend  me  and  my  cause  as 
I  expected,  and  as  they  might  have  done  !  !  a  combina- 
tion was  formed  against  me,  I  am  accused  of  wliat  nev- 
er came  into  my  mind  ;  on  trial  I  v/as  refused  the  consti- 
tutional right  of  confronting  tlie  principle  v/itness  against 
me  ;  the  court  refused  to  send  for  a  witness  in  my  favor, 
important  papers  and  documents,  the  undeniable  evidence 
of  my  innocence,  were,  on  trial  withheld  and  concealed, 
and  the  court  proceeded  without  them  ;  the  judge  did 
not  charge  the  jury  on  the  information,  as  I  thought  he 
ought  to  have  done. 

The  court  refused  a  new  trial,  overruled  all  objections 
of  my  counsel,  pronounced  on  me  a  sentence  of  two 
years  imprisonment  in  Norwich  jail,  and  here  I  am  in 
affliction,  in  disgrace,  and  in  misery. 

O,  Father  of  mercies  and  God  of  all  comfort,  my  o;i 
ly  help  in  time  of  need  :  look  down  from  Heaven  I  hum- 
bly beseech  thee,  behold,  visit,  and  relieve  thy  persecu- 
ted and  afflicted  servant  ;  look  upon  me  with  the  eyes  of 
thy  mercy,  comfort  me  with  a  sense  of  tliy  goodness, 
preserve  me  from  the  temptations  of  the  enemy,  give  me 
patience  and  resignation  under  my  sufferings.  0,  that 
no  repining  thought  may  enter  my  heart  to  discompose 
me  in  my  duty  towards  thee  my  God,  or  towards  my 
fellow  men  ;  be  pleased  to  forgive  my  enemies,  persecu- 
tors, a.id  slanderers,  and  to  turn  their  hearts  ;  and  O 
God,  who  spareth  when  we  deserve  punishment,  and  in 
the  midst  of  thy  wrath  remoraberest  mercy,  I  humbly 
beseech  thee,  of  thy  great  goodness,  to  comfort  and  suc- 
cour me,  and  all  others    who   are   under    reproach   and 


MEMOIRS.  129 

misery  in  this  or  any  other  house  of  bondage  ,  correct 
us  not  in  thine  anger,  neither  chasten  us  in  thy  sore  dis- 
pleasure :  give  us  a  right  understanding  of  ourselves, 
and  of  thy  threats  and  promises  ;  that  we  may  neither 
cast  away  our  confidence  in  thee,  nor  place  it  any  where 
but  in  thee.  Be  pleased  to  relieve  the  distressed  in  this 
and  in  all  other  places  whereever  they  may  be  ;  protect 
t!ie  innocent  and  make  their  innocency  to  appear  ;  awa- 
ken the  guilty,  convert  the  unconverted,  and  fill  the 
vvorld  with  thy  glory.  And,  forasmuch  as  thou  alone 
canst  bring  I'ght  out  of  darkness,  and  good  out  of  evil, 
grant  that  the  pains  and  punishments  which  we  thy  ser- 
vants endure,  here  through  our  bodily  confinement,  may 
tend  to  the  setting  free  of  our  souls  from  the  chains  of 
sin,  that  v»'hen  this  mortal  life  shall  be  ended,  Ave  may 
dwell  with  thee  in  life  everlasting,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord  ;  Amen. 

For  about  ten  years  I  had  been  a  settled  minister  in 
at  county  town,  and  was  the  only  minister  in  town,  my 
congregation  was  generally  from  500  to  700,  had  280 
communicants,  lived  in  plain  sight  of  the  jail  and  court 
house,  and  had  thought  it  my  duty  often  to  visit  those 
who  were  in  prison,  and  to  comfort  the  afflicted.  It  was 
not  my  business  to  add  to  the  sentence  of  law,  and  to  neg- 
lect or  afflict  the  afflicted;  it  %yas  enough  for  me  to  know 
that  they  were  sick  or  in  prison  5  I  knew  that  often  the 
innocent  were  condemned,  and  the  guilty  went  clear, 
and  it  was  my  delight  and  my  business,  like  the  good  Sa- 
maritan, to  pour  the  wine  and  oil  of  consolation  into  the 
wounds  of  a  bleeding  heart.  Often  have  I  preached  to 
prisoners  in  jail  •,  often  have  I  seen  the  tears  of  gratitude 
flow  from  the  eyes  of  those  who  had  been  edified  by  my 
instruction,  who  had  received  comfort  from  my  sympa- 
thy, relief  from  my  bounty,  and  consolation  from  my 
prayers  ;  but  little  did  I  think  that  I  should  ever  be  con.- 
fined  myself ;  little  did  I  think  that  I  should  ever  need 
those  kind  offices  of  love  and  friendship  which  I  had  so 
often  administered  to  others — "  but  he  iolw  is  on  the  high- 
est spoke  infortune''s  wheel  may  soon  be  on  the  lowest^  and 
the  icisest  knou's  not  how  soon.'^ 

Whoever  will  live  godly  in  Christ   Jesus    shall  suffei 


JoO  MEMOIRS. 


persecution.  Our  blessed  Saviour  himself  entered  not 
into  his  glory  until  he  had  first  suffered  here  on  earth. 
Read  the  12th  chapter  of  Hebrews. 

The  Sheriff  was  good  enough,  though  very  much 
acainst  the  wishes  of  Lanman,  to  give  me  the  best  room 
in  the  jail.  The  first  day  after  my  confinement  I  had  my 
room  throughly  washed  and  cleansed.  I  soon  sent  for  a 
joiner  and  had  it  repaired  and  shelves  put  up  ;  it  was 
then  whitewashed  ;  a  ventiduct  was  soon  put  in  from  the 
vault  to  prevent  a  disagreeable  smell.  My  friend  Col- 
lins brought  me  a  bed  and  bedding.  I  had  table  cloths 
and  towels  sent  me — table  and  chairs  were  furnished  by 
the  jailer — I  purchased  table  furniture,  crockery,  glasses 
Stc. — my  trunks  and  books  were  brought  to  me^ — a  paper 
maker  sent  to  me  as  a  present,  half  a  ream  of  good  wri- 
ting paper  ;  and  I  was  as  comfortable  as  could  be  ex- 
pected. 

My  friends  wrote  to   me   from   almost  every    part  of 
Connecticut,  and  from  other  states,  and  oflered  me   any 
assistance  which  I  might  possibly  want.     I    was   permit- 
ted to  have  the  room   entirely  to   myself;  the    prisoners 
seemed  solicitous  not  to  hurt  my  feelings  ;  they  were  at-    • 
tentive  to  my  daily  devotions  and   religious  instructions  ;  '  • 
a  change  in  their  moral  conduct    and    conversation   was  I 
very  observable  ;  no  profane,  no  obscene,  no   unbecom- 
ing language  was  heard  among  them,   and    here  I    staid 
two  years  ! 

To  mention  the  kindness  of  one  friend  would  seem  to 
l)e  a  neglect  of  others.  I  was  visited  by  people  of  the 
first  standing  in  society,  from  diflerent  parts  of  Connect- 
icut, and  from  other  states — I  performed  divine  service 
and  preached  through  the  grates  of  the  jail  almost  every 
Sunday  when  the  weather  was  fair,  for  two  years — scats 
were  built  up  on  the  out  side  of  the  jail  and  the  congre- 
gation was  as  large,  as  attentive  and  as  respectful  as 
could  be  expected.  On  Christmas,  Easter  and  Whitsun- 
days the  doors  were  opened  and  I  preached  and  adminis- 
tered and  received  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper, 
on  Christmas  eve's  the  jail  was,  by  the  bounty  of  my 
friends,  handsomely  illuminated  and  decorated  with  green 


MEMOIRS.  IJ 

bow'3  and  vines,   in  token  of  joy   and   rejoicing  at   th« 
birth  of  our  blessed  Saviour.  ' 

The  jailer  at  that  time  furnished  good  and  wholesome 
food,  and  enough  of  it.  The  sheriff  often  called  to  see 
the  prisoners,  and  to  inquire  of  their  welfare.  Mr. 
Gurley  was  now  the  state's  attorney,  and  seemed  to  be 
sen.'iible  of  the  injustice  which  was  done  to  me.  Mr. 
Goddard  knew  that  I  blamed  him,  and  I  have  never  spo- 
ken to  him  since  my  trial. 

I  blame  him  for  permitting  the   trial  to   proceed,  iviihmit 
compelling  them  to  bring-  forward  their   principal  witn^^ss, 
and  while  my  documents  loere   withheld.     Uncommon   ex- 
ertions were  made  to   convince   the  public   that   I   was 
guilty  and  justly  condemned  ;  the  newspapers  were  filled 
with  squibs  and  misrepresentations.     Constance  F.Dan- 
iels, cousin  of  Ira  Daniels,  reported,  and  Mr.  Green  of 
New-London  printed   a  misrepresentation    of  my  trial — 
setting  forth  to  the  public  what  was  proved  at  the  binding 
over  and  a  great  deal  more  ;  and  wholly   neglecting  to 
shew  any  thing  which  I  proved  at  that  time,  reviling  and 
reproaching  me  in  the  most  false  manner,  and    with    tho 
most  abusive  epithets  !   !     Illy  would  it   become  me   to 
render  railing  for  railing.     But   to   the   said   Daniels  I 
would  barely  mention  the  name   of  the    amiable   widow 
Wade,  on  whose  money  the  poor  wretch   was   supported 
and  educated,  to  whom  he  had  most   solemnly   promised 
marriage,  but  forfeited  his  word  and  honor,   married   an- 
other woman,  was  prosecuted  and  his  poverty  was   his 
security — ^just  such  an    one    as    Lanman  might   couple 
with  Maria  and  Sam  ! , 

Benjamin  Harris,  Esq.  of  Preston,  testified  that  he  did 
not  think  that  there  was  a  person  in  Preston  or  Griswold, 
who  was  acquainted  with  Maria  A.  Smith,  that  would 
take  her  word,  or  her  oath  for  one  quarter  of  a  dollar. 
Hon.  Judge  fVilliams  of  Groton,  who  lived  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  said  Maria,  testified  that  he  did  not 
think  that  any  person  who  was  acquainted  with  her,  ought 
or  would  think  the  better  or  worse  of  any  one  in  conse- 
quence of  any  thing  that  she  could  say  or  swear;  thatth» 
first  time  he  ever  heard  of  her,  she  was  in  a  house  of 
ill  fame,  hugging  and  kiaiing  ^  married  man,  and  that  if 


132  MEMOIRS. 

.he  court  and  jury  had  known  her  character  and  the 
circumstances,  they  certainly  never  would  have  declared 
mc  guilty,  or  pronounced  sentence  against  me. 

Perry  Clark  and  Sophia  Clark,  depose  and  saj  that 
Asenath  and  Maria  A.  Smith  lived  in  the  same  house 
with  them  in  the  year  1817,  and  long  before  and  since 
that  time — that  they  well  remember  that  Asenath  was  in 
the  habit  of  keeping  private  company  with  a  young  phy- 
sician— that  said  Perry  saw  him  come  out  of  her  bed 
chamber  between  break  of  day  and  sunrise  or  or  about 
the  first  day  of  July  1817 — that  they  have  no  knowledge 
or  belief  that  Mr.  Rogers  was  at  their  house  during  the 
summer  of  1817 — that  they  well  remember  that  in  the 
summer  and  fall  of  that  year  Asenath  was  very  unwell 
and  feeble,  and  had  fits,  and  particularly  on  Ihe  week 
before  she  was  said  to  have  been  delivered — that  they 
personally  knew  that  the  testimony  of  Maria,  on  the  tri- 
al of  Mr.  Rogers,  was  false,  particularly  as  to  his  being 
shut  up  alone  with  her  at  their  house,  Stc.  (see  page  107) 
— that  they  never  heard  of  any  such  thing  until  about 
two  years  afterwards — that  the  mother  of  Asenath  in- 
formed Mrs.  Clark,  who  was  her  sister,  that  she  never 
suspected  that  Asenath  was  like  to  have  a  child,  for  she 
knew  that  it  was  not  with  her,  as  it  is  with  loomen  in  gen- 
eral when  they  were  in  that  situation,  6fc.  S^x. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  in  due  form  of  law,  in  Norwich, 
in  the  County  of  New-London,  March  26,  1822. 

Before  John  Hyde,  Justice  of  Peace. 


CHAPTER  Xn. 

On  the  25th  of  January  1822  I  addressed  a  letter  to 
the  Governor  of  Connecticut,  inclosing  a  petition  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  that  state,  stating  my  case  with 
the  foregoing  depositions  of  Doct,  Harris,  Judge  Will- 
iams, Perry  Clark  and  his  wife  Sophia  Clark,  praying, 
not  for  a  pardon  of  crimes  which  I  never  had  committed 
or  ever  thought  of,  but  to  have  the  sentence  suspended 
until  I  could  collect  my  witnesses  and  defend  myself  in 


MEMOIRS.  13S 

person  and  by  counsel  before  that  Hon.    Assembly   and 
frofu  him  I  received  the  following  answer  viz. 

Stale  of  Connecticut,  Litchfield^  Februarij  l\th,  1822. 

Sir — 
I  received,  a  few  days  since,  your  letter  dated  Janua- 
ry 25th,  1822,  with  a  narrative  in  tlieform  of  a  petition, 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State,  to  be  convened 
at  New-Haven,  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  May  next. 
Your  conscience  must  have  informed  you  whether  this 
narrative  contains  a  just  representation  of  your  case.  If 
it  is  false,  you  have  greatly  aggravated  the  offence  for 
which  you  are  now  sutTering  imprisonment,  and  instead 
of  reproaching  the  court  and  its  officers,  you  ought  pen- 
itently to  admit  that  the  sentence  of  the  Judge  was  as 
mild  as  he  was  justifiable  in  pronouncing.  On  the  con- 
trary if  your  narrative  be  true,  if  you  have  not  been  heard 
by  yourself  and  counsel,  if  you  have  not  been  confronted 
by  the  witnesses  against  you,  if  you  have  been  refused 
compulsory  process  to  obtain  witnesses  in  your  favor, 
if  you  have  not  had  a  public  trial  by  an  impartial  jury, 
or  have  been  deprived  of  your  liberty  otherwise  than 
by  a  due  course  of  law,  the  General  Assembly,  to  whom 
you  address  your  petition,  will  examine  into  your  case, 
and  doubtless  adjudge  thereon  in  such  a  manner,  as  aa 
equal  regard  to  your  rights  and  the  laws  and  the  honor 
of  the  State  shall  require. 

By  the  Constitution  of  this  State,  "  the  Governor  has 
power  to  reprieve  after  conviction,  in  all  cases  except 
those  of  impeachment,  until  the  end  of  the  next  session 
3f  the  General  Assembly  and  no  longer."  If  it  is  in- 
lecided  that  reprieves  should  be  effectual  in  any  other 
than  capital  cases,  the  law  ought  to  provide  a  mode  by 
which  either  the  persons  or  offenders  may  be  holden  to 
abide  the  sentence  of  the  law,  in  cases  where  pardonvS 
are  not  granted  by  the  General  Assembly,  or  that  suita- 
ble forfeitures  should  be  recovered  in  cases  where  i;uch 
reprieved  persons  are  not  surrendered.  No  provision  of 
this  nature  exists,  and  in  my  opinion,  any  bond  for  that 
purpose  would  be  illegal  and  void.  As  the  General  As- 
sembly alone  can  grant  you  relief,  it  would  be  useless 
for  me  to  investigate  the  truth  or  falsity   of  the  facts 


134  MEMOIRS. 

connected  with  your  case,  I  can  therefore  only  express 
to  you  my  sincere  hope,  that  truth  and  justice  may  pre- 
vail.    I  am,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

OLIVER  WOLCOTT. 
To  His  Excellency  Oliver  Wolcott)  Esq.  Governor  of  Con- 

nedicul,  in  lAtchJield. 

Norwich  Jail,  Feb.    20lh,  1823. 
Sjr — 

On  the  15th  instant  I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your 
favor  of  the  11th,  in  answer  to  my  application  dated  the 
2Jth  ultimo,  and  now  pray  you  not  to  consider  me  obtru- 
sive in  this  reply.  My  petition  contains  a  plain,  unadmii- 
pd  narrative  of  the  facts  on  which  it  is  founded,  and  I 
knew  no  other  expedient  more  respectful,  or  by  which  I 
could  so  well  lay  my  case  before  your  excellency  and  the 
General  Assembly,  and  obtain  my  request .  Had  I  laid 
my  case  open  in  the  form  of  a  remonstrance,  or  of  a 
complaint,  or  of  an  impeachment  of  individuals,  still  the 
facts  must  have  been  narrated,  or  they  could  not  have 
been  knovvn.  God  and  my  own  conscience  bear  me  wit- 
ness, that  my  narrative  contains  a  just  and  true  repre- 
sentation of  my  case.  I  have  no  pleasure  in  reproach- 
ing the  court  or  its  officers,  and  God  Almighty  forbid  that 
i  should  do  it  any  farther  forth,  than  a  religious  regard 
to  truth  and  justice  compel  me.  Your  exhortation  to  a 
repentance  of  crimes  which  I  never  have  committed, 
may  be  kind  in  the  intention,  but  certainly  is  afflictive 
and  grievous  in  its  application.  No  punishment  can  be 
mild  v/hich  is  inflicted  on  the  innocent  ;  and  in  this  case, 
if  the  charges  were  true,  to  be  confined  in  Norwich  Jail, 
a  living  spectacle  of  reproach  and  disgrace,  in  the  very 
face  and  eyes  of  all  my  friends  and  acquaintance,  is 
worse  than  death  or  Newgate  for  life.  I  can  truly  say 
with  the  Ronian  orator,  "  quam  puhlicam  odium  nullum 
rupphcium  est  gi\'vius  :  "  i.  e.  than  public  hatred  no  pun- 
ishment can  be  greater.  Had  your  Excellency  been 
pleased  to  give  acvice  on  a  difforent  but  true  view  of 
the  subject,  it  would  have  been  a  great  favor.  It  is  a 
's'>lemn  and  very  interesting  truth,  that  I  have  been 
'^alsely  accused,  partially  and  unfairly  tried,  and  unjustly 
'jondemned  to  irretrievable  dissfrace  and   ruin,  with  the 


MEMOIRS.  m 

undeniable  evidence  of  my  innocence,  excluded  by  the 
court,  and  cruelly  and  corruptly  withheld  and  concealed 
by  the  State's  Attorney,  and  perjury  !  the  most  Heaven 
daring  perjury  !  a  confession  of  which  was  then  proved 
and  acknowledged  in  court,  was  tolerated  and  allowed  !  I 
mean,  that  after  it  was  proved  in  court,  on  trial,  and  Ma- 
ria A.  Smith  then  acknowledged,  that  she  had  frequent- 
ly and  seriously  confessed,  to  different  persons  and  at  dif- 
ferent times  that  she  had  taken  a  false  oath  against  me 
before  tlie  Justice  when  I  was  bound  over,  and  that  she 
had  been  overpersuaded  and  hired  to  do  it,  the  court  ad- 
mitted her  testimony,  and  evidently  charged  the  jury, 
not  on  the  information  then  against  me,  but  on  her  story, 
which  was  utterly  false  by  her  own  repeated  acknowl- 
edgements, and  by  other  circumstances.  It  is  painful 
for  me  to  say  these  things  of  the  judiciary  of  my  native 
state  and  where  I  was  educated  ;  but  my  rights  are  as 
dear  to  me,  to  my  children,  and  to  my  friends,  as  Judge 
Chapman's  or  Mr.  Lanman's,  or  the  State's  can  be  to 
them  ;  and  I  should  be  under  everlasting  obligations 
to  the  Governor  for  his  advice  on  this  view  of  the  sub- 
ject. 

I  am  suffering  imprisonment,  disgrace,  and  the  lo 
of  all  worldly  comforts,  not  for  committing  crimes  wi 
Asenath  C.  Smith — No,  Sir,  this  is  not  the  cause  fo 
which  I  am  imprisoned,  persecuted,  and  suffer  the  loss  of 
all  things,  but  my  real  crimes,  my  most  henious  sins,  are 
that  I  have  dared  to  be  a  Protestant  Episcopalian  ;  that 
I  have  dared  to  oppose  a  union  of  Church  and  State  ; 
that  I  have  dared  to  oppose  any  person's  being  by  law 
taxed,  and  by  law  compelled  to  atteno  and  pay  money, 
to  support  that  as  God's  truth  which  they  did  not  believe 
to  be  true  ;  that  I  have  dared  to  call  in  question  the 
Federal  Presbyterian  politics  of  Connecticut,  and  to  be 
a  republican  :  that  I  had  questioned  the  morality  and  in- 
fallibility of  Bishop  Jarvis  ;  that  I  had  fully  espoused 
the  doctrine,  that  although  Bishops  were  the  true  and 
awful  governors  of  Christ's  church,  yet  if  they  did  not 
govern  Christ's  church  according  to  Christ's  laws,  and 
the  established  order  of  that  church,  their  governnaent 
was  not  binding  :  that  no  discipline,  no  sentence,  no  ad- 


lis  MEMOIRS. 

ministration  of  Bishop  Jarvis,  or  of  all  the  Bishops  in 
the  United  States,  is  of  any  force  or  validity,  unless  it 
be  founded  on  the  previous  steps  required  by  the  author- 
ity of  God's  word  and  the  constitution  and  canons  of 
his  church. 

Another  dreadful  sin  and  crime  in  me  is,  that  I  have 
not  any,  even  the  least,  confidence  in  the  Leather  Mitten 
OrdiTiafion,  under  a  string  of  which  Mr.  Lanman  had 
then  recently  enrolled  himself,  or  in  any  other  ordination 
which  is  derived  of  human  authority.*  It  was  then,  and 
now  is,  my  decided  opinion,  that  there  is  no  ecclesiasti- 
cal authority  which  is  not  derived  from  God,  and  that 
there  is  no  civil  authority  which  is  not  derived  from  the 
people.  That  no  one  can  lawfully  baptize,  or  adminis- 
ter the  sacrament,  or  hold  forth  to  a  guilty  world  the 
terms  of  life  and  salvation  in  the  name  of  the  Father  and 
of  the  Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  without  authority 
from  God  ;  and  that  this  authority  can  be  derived  only 
two  ways,  viz.  immediately  from  Heaven,  in   an  extra- 

*When  our  forefathers  first  came  to  reside  in  that  part  of  Connecticut 
where  I  was  born,  a  settlement  was  formed  at  the  mouth  of  Stratford  river. 
On  Sundays  tliey  used  to  meet  for  public  worship,  and  sometimes  one  would, 
pray  and  exhort,  and   sometimes  another,  as  they  felt  disposed. 

They  drew  up  a  writing  among  themselves  which  they  called  a 
C3iurch  Covenant — they  then  thought  it  necessary  to  have  a  minis- 
ter, and  what  made  a  minister  was  the  people's  choosing  hira,  and  his 
accepting  the  choice.  If  they  could  make  a  minister  they  eould  or 
dain  him,  for  it  was  more  to  make  him  than  it  was  to  ordain  him.  Accord- 
ingly they  met  and  chose  one  Mr.  Chauncy  out  of  their  number,  who  seemed 
to  be  the  most  gifted,  and  chose  three  of  their  brethren,  viz.  Mr.  Prindle, 
Mr.  Brimsmaid  and  Mr.  Groves  to  ordain  him.  On  the  day  appointed,  they 
came  from  their  labor  with  their  leather-aprons  and  their  leather-mittens  on, 
which  was  a  common  dress  at  that  time,  and  assembled  in  a  log  barn  at  the 
Eouth  end  of  the  point  of  land  whicli  had  been  cultivated.  Eacli  of  the  three 
made  a  prayer  over  Mr.  Chauncy,  put  tlieir  hands  upon  his  head  and  told  him 
to  take  authority  to  be  a  minister  in  tlie  vineyard  of  Jesus  Christ.  Mr. 
Brimsmaid  put  on  his  liand  first,  with  his  leather-mitten  on,  and  the  other 
two  followed  his  example,  hence  the  Congregational  Presbyterian  ordination 
in  Conn,  has  always  been  termed  tiie  "  Leather  Mitten  Onlination,"  and  it 
is  a  feet  that  most  of  the  Presbyterian  ordinations  in  Conn,  have  been  deriv- 
ed from  the  common  people.  Mr.  Buckingham  was  ordained  by  the  breth- 
ren of  his  church,  in  Saybrook,  in  presence  of  the  Council  of  Ministers,  (as 
they  called  themselves,)  and  his  ordination  was  acknowledged  and  received  by 
them  as  valid — Mr.  Prudden,  of  Milford,  and  others,  were  ordainetl  in  the 
same  way,  and  their  ordinations  were  acknowledged  and  they  ordained  others. 
(See  Trumbull's  History  of  Coimeeticut,  vol.  I,  pages  286, 264,  ^c.  edi- 
tion qf  1818.) 


MEMOIRS  137 

ordinary  manner,  and  then  we  must  produce  immediate 
and  extraordinary  works  to  prove  it,  such  works  as  no 
others  can  prodace  :  for  God  never  requires  his  creatures 
\  o  believe  that  which  he  has  given  them  no  reason  to  be- 
lieve ;  or  it  must  be  derived  from  6od,  from  him  who 
had  all  power  in  Heaven  and  on  earth,  by  a  direct,  un- 
mterrupted  line  of  succession  No  one  can  lawfully  act 
by  authority  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  or  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  without  authority  from  them,  and  this  can  be 
derived  only  two  ways,  viz.  immediately  from  the  people, 
and  then  it  requires  immediate  evidence  from  them  to 
prove  it ;  or  it  must  be  derived  by  a  succession  from  the 
regular  constitiited  authority.  Because  a  man  or  a  body 
of  men  have  the  statute  lav  of  the  State,  they  have  not 
power  to  make  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  :  and  because  a 
man  or  body  of  men  have  the  Bible,  they  have  not  pow- 
er to  make  a  priest.  It  requires  as  much  authority  to 
make  a  justice  as  it  does  to  make  a  law  ;  and  it  requires 
as  much  authority  to  make  a  mmister  of  God  as  it  does 
to  make  a  Bible. 

The  cuvil  and  ecclesiastical  authorities  are  derived 
from  different  sources,  and  ought  k)  be  kept  perfectly 
separate  and  distinct  ;  and  a  union  of  these  two  authori- 
ties has  caused  more  distress,  more  devastation  and  more 
blood-shed,  than  all  the  wars,  than  all  the  plagues,  than 
all  the  famines  with  which  the  earth  has  ever  been  visit- 
ed. I  am  also  in  the  opinion,  that  the  separation  of  our 
forefathers,  not  from  the  civil,  but  from  the  ecclesiastical 
authority  of  England,  and  the  church  of  England,  Avas 
at  first  very  unnecessary  and  unreasonable,  and  that  it  is 
now  the  imperative  duty  of  all,  to  return  to  the  Episco- 
pal church.  It  is  dishonorable  to  God  and  dangeruus  to 
the  souls  of  men,  to  depart  from  the  authority,  the  doc- 
trine, and  the  worship  of  the  universal  church.  Those 
things  in  which  they  all  agree  must  be  derived  from  the 
same  source. 

In  regard  to  experimental  religion,  I  think  it  essen- 
tial that  the  natural  disposition  of  the  human  heart 
should  be  changed  from  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts, 
to  the  love  and  practice  of  a  sober,  righteous  and  godly 
life  and  conversation  :  but  in  this  case,  as  in  all  others, 
12* 


\2»  MEMOIRS. 

I  think  that  no  man  or  woman  ever  acts  wisely  except 
when  they  act  reasonably.  In  short,  I  have  opposed  en- 
thusiasm, bigotry  and  superstition,  on  one  side  ;  and 
I  h ive  opposed  infidelity,  immorality,  and  licentiousness, 
on  the  other.  And  these,  Sir,  are  my  crimes  : — these 
principles  and  this  practice  have  raised  upon  me  a  host 
of  enemies,  and  have  brought  me  to  this  jail,  this  place 
of  disgraceful  punishment  :  and  were  the  truth  of  it 
avowed,  for  it  I  could  willingly  burn  at  the  stake,  I 
could  suffer  any  punishment,  here  or  in  Newgate,  or  in 
any  other  place,  and  never  should  relinquish  till  my  soul 
should  cease  to  exist.  But  to  suffer  as  I  do,  under  the 
false  and  feigned  charge  of  crimes  which  never  entered 
my  heart,  and  which  for  their  foulness,  would  blacken 
hell,  is  the  sorest,  the  heaviest,  and  the  most  grievous 
affliction,  that  could  be  laid  upon  me.  Sir,  I  am  a  per- 
secuted rn&n.  I  am  not  guilty  of  what  is  laid  to  my 
charge,  neither  did  it  ever  come  into  my  mind.  I  am 
wholly  ignorant  and  innocent  of  these  or  of  any  other 
crirhes  or  misconduct  with  Asenath  C.  Smith,  and  I  have 
no  idea  that  my  persecutors  aver  thought  I  was  guilty. 

That  the  governor  should  feel  it  necessary  to  put  9 
construction  on  the  constitution  of  Connecticut  wholly 
different  from  what  I  had  apprehended,  is  to  me,  a  source 
of  disappointment  and  sorrow.  That  instrument  was, 
in  my  view,  a  supreme  law  of  the  state,  contrary  to 
v/hich  any  other  law,  if  made,  would  cease  to  be  law  : 
it  would  ipso  facto,  be  null  and  void  in  itself.  By  that 
instrument  the  governor  has  power  to  reprieve  after  con- 
viction in  all  cases  except  those  of  impeachment,  but 
here  is  a  case  which  is  not  by  impeachment,  ergo,  the  gov- 
ernor has  no  power  to  reprieve  in  any  other  than  capital 
cases.  This  is  a  kind  of  logic  which  was  not  taught  in 
Yale  College  when  i  had  the  honor  of  being  a  member 
of  that  institution. 

If  I  may  not  be  permitted  to  collect  my  witnesses 
and  to  prove  the  facts  and  representations  contained  and 
set  forth  in  my  petition,  nor  to  disprove  any  thing  which 
may  be  said  against  it,  an  investigation,  would  be  une- 
qual, unfair  and  dangerous,  as  the  character  of  falsehood 
might  be  fixed  upon  that  which  was  strictly  true.  Though 


MEMOIRS.  139 

1  have  the  fullest  confidence  in  your  Excellency,  in  the 
General  Assembly, and  in  the  stat^;,  yet  it  must  be  erident 
Lhat  the  honor  of  the  state  is  deeply  concerned  to  di- 
minish the  credibility  of  what  I  claim  in  this  case,  of  what 
I  know,  and  of  what, by  perm  ssion  of  the  governor,!  could 
prove  to  be  true;  without  that  permission  I  should  doubt 
the  expediency  of  laying  it  before  the  General  Assembly 
in  its  present  form;  it  may  be  epitomised,  and  their  atten- 
tion confined  to  a  few  obvious  facts,  merely  because  I  may 
not  ho  permitted  to  prove.or  disprove  any  thing  ;  but  this 
would  be  domg  great  injustice  to  myself;  nor  did  I  expect 
the  governor  to  investigate  the  truth  or  falsity  of  the  facts 
connected  with  my  case,  any  farther  forth  than  they  ap- 
peared in  the  petition  itself  ;  and  for  this  obvious  reason 
that  I  could  not  be  present  to  advocate  or  defend.  There 
were  only  two  witnesses  in  ray  trial  who  claimed  to  have 
any  knowledge  of  any  improper  conduct  of  Asenath  G 
Smith  and  me.  One  was  a  poor,  mean,  lying,  thievish 
negro  boy,  whose  master  declared  that  he  could  not  be- 
lieve him  when  he  was  sent  on  a  common  errand  ;  that 
he  placed  no  confidence  in  his  story,  that  he  had  repri- 
manded him  for  it,  and  who  only  the  summer  before  was 
actually  arrested  for  stealing.  The  other  w?is  Maria  A 
Smith,  the  supposed  sister  of  the  said  Asenath,  who  on 
trial  before  the  court,  made  oath  that  she  had  told  so  nianij 
different  stories,  and  contradicted  herself  so  often  on  the  sub- 
ject that  she  did  not  think  her  testimony  would  be  received; 
who  also  acknowledged  under  oath  before  court,  that  she 
had  frequently  and  seriously  confessed  to  different  per- 
sons and  in  different  places,  that  she  had  taken  a  false 
oath  against  me,  before  the  justice  when  I  was  bound 
over,  and  who  is  now,  this  very  moment,  if  report  be  true, 
supporting  herself  at  the  expense  of  her  chastity  in  a 
common  bawdy  house  in  the  city  of  New- York.  To  re- 
fer the  Governor,  or  the  General  Assembly,  or  any  per- 
son in  the  world  to  such  witnesses  for  the  truth  or  falsity 
of  any  thing,  I  should  be  absolutely  ashamed,  and  would 
not  now  do  it,  had  not  Mr.  Lanman  called  them  into  no- 
tice, and  improved  them  for  the  purpose  of  destroying 
an  Episcopal  clergyman,  and  a  republican,  by  fixing^ 
©rimes  upon  me  which  never  came  into  my  mind,  and  of 


140  MEMOIRS. 

which  I  ftm  absolutely  a>  innocent  as  the  ministers  of 
the  upper  simctuar/.  Devoutly  uniting  in  the  hope  ex- 
pressed by  your  Es:c  ijlency  that  truth  and  justice  may 
prevail,  I  am  very  itspecttuily  your  Excellency's  most 
©bedient  and  very  humble  servant. 

AMMI  ROGERS. 
On  the  8th  day  of  October,  1822,  /  was  released  from 
j»-ison  in  due  course  of  law;  after  having  remained 
there  two  years  oa  the  charge  of  crimes  which  I  never 
did  coaimit,  and  of  which  I  never  had  been  informed,  or 
known  any  thing,  until  about  :vvo  years  after  they  were 
said  to  have  been  cosijmitted — and  of  which  I  have  no 
belief  or  even  suspicion  that  my  accusers  etcr  thought  1 
was  gidlty  ;  after  a  note  of  more  than  ^630  vt^as  extort- 
ed from  me  while  I  was  in  prison,  on  peril  of  my  life  and 
liberty;  against  my  stronge^it  remonstrances,  protesta- 
tions, and  utt  r  refusal;  aficr  this  money  had  been  taken 
from  the  pub.;c  treasury,  (u  great  part  cf  it)  by  Lanman 
and  Halsey  under  the  false  and  feigned  preteixe  of  pay- 
ing witnesses,  but  which  they  converted  to  their  own  use 
and  never  did  pay  over  to  them. 

I  speak    and  write   without   fear  of  contradiction,  for 
proof  is  at  hand.     In  thir  case  I  mention  Eunice    How- 
ard, Samuel  Dorrence,  Socrates  Balcome,   Ephraim  M. 
Williams,  Lydia  Williams,  and  others  who  have   not  re- 
ceived the  money  which   was   taken  out   of  the  treasury 
which  Lanman  and  Halsey  have  converted  to  their  own 
privata  use  and   which  I   \\  as  then   called   upon  to  give 
my  note  for.     In   other  cases   Lanman  took  ^15  to  pay 
.7*oel   Loomis,  Esq.    ^10  t)  pay    Capt.    Clark  of  Lyme, 
fd  hundreds  of  other?,  but  has  never  paid  them.   There 
are  now  residing   in  the   county    of  Saratoga   witnesses 
who  knew  nothing  of  the  case,  who  were  dragged    from 
home,  were  at  great    expense    and   trouble  in    going  to 
court,  in  staying  there  and  in    returning.      Money    was 
taken   from  the  treasury  by  Lanman  to   pay  them,  they 
have  called  for  it,  but  he  made  some   excuse  and  has  not 
paid  it  to  this  day.     Is  this  fair  ?     Is  it  just  ?     Is  it  hon- 
orable ?     No  !  the  whole  prosecution  has  been  false    in 
the  extreme,  unjust,  cruel  and  abusive  in  the  highest  de- 
gree !     In  civil  society  we  relinquish   our  natural  rights 


MEMOIRS.  Ill 


for  tl)e  purposft  of  having  our  civil,  moral  and  religions 
rights  secured  ;  how  far  my  rights  have  been  secured  in 
Connecticut,  those  who  have  or  will  read  the  foregoing 
pages  must  and  will  judge. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 
GENERAL  ASSEMBLY. 

The  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut  convened  in  the 
city  of  Hartford,  in  May,  1823. 

Oh.  the  memorial  of  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  a  joint 
Committee  of  both  Houses  was  appointed  to  take  his 
case  into  consideration,  to  grant  him  a  hearing,  and  to 
report  thereon.  The  Committee  assigned  the  27th  and 
28th  days  of  May,  1823,  for  the  said  hearing  and  inves- 
igation,  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  and  notice  was  given 
accordingly. 

Senate  Chamber,  City  of  Hartford,  May  Itth,  1823. 

Present,  Hon.  David  Hill,  of  the  Senate,  Chairman 

Abner  Reed,  Esq.    >  /-,        .,, 
T  1     o*     4.        T?        I  Comimttee. 
John  btanton,  Esq.  ) 

I,  Ammi  Rogers,  appeared  and  said, — 

Gentlemen — I  do  not  come  before  you  in  the  strength 
and  power  of  Goliah  of  Gath,  defying  the  armies  of  the 
living  God  !  but  I  come  before  you  as  a  meek,  humble 
and  persecuted  christian  ;  and  as  a  minister  of  our  com- 
mon Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ.  Gentlemen,  I  com- 
plain, 1st,  That  I  have  been  falsely  accused.  2dly,  I 
have  been  partially  and  unfairly  tried.  3dly,  Unjustly 
condemned  and  imprisoned.  4thly,  And  a  note  of  more 
than  |i630  was  extorted  from  me  in  duresse,  as  the  condi- 
tion of  my  liberty  and  life,  to  pay  the  expense  of  this 
abominable  conspiracy.  May  I  beseech  you  to  grant  me 
a  patient  and  candid  hearing,  and  to  make  that  report 
which  you  can  justify  before  the  bar  of  God,  the  bar  <  f 
your  own  consciences,  and  the  bar  of  all  assembled  ere; 
ted  intelligencers.  In  the  first  place  I  beg  permission 
to  introduce  the  principal    witness  on  whose    oath  I  was 


14J  MEMOIRS. 

bound  over  who  alone  can  be  supposed  to  know  the  truth 
of  the  charges  against,  me  and  whose  testunony  on  trial 
was  adjusted. 

Asenath  Caroline  Smith,  the  principal  witness,  was 
then  called  and  sworn  by  the  chairman,  in  the  presence 
of  a  great  concotirse  of  people  who  had  assembled  in 
the  Senate  Chamber,  in  the  city  of  Hartford,  to  hear 
this  extraordinary  case.  She  is  a  young  woman  about 
twenty-six  years  of  age,  of  a  good  figure,  though  rather 
small,  very  handsome,  dressed  well,  appeared  well,  and 
had  more  learning  than  most  young  women  of  her  cir- 
cumstances. By  the  Chairman — Miss  Smith,  you  are 
now  under  the  solemnity  of  an  oath  ;  you  will  please  to 
testify  what  you  know  in  this  case.  Answer. — Mr.  Rog- 
ers is  not  guilty  of  what  is  charged  against  him  concern- 
ing me.  He  never  did  have  carnal  knowledge  of  me, 
either  before  or  since  his  trial,  and  never  has  offered  to 
ine  any  thing  of  the  kind.  Before  this  misfortune 
happened  to  me  I  had  for  two  or  three  years  kept 
private  company  with  a  young  physician  ;  but  I  do  not 
wish  to  implicate  others.  Mr.  Rogers  is  innocent  ;  and 
I  never  should  have  accused  him  had  it  not  been  for  Col. 
Halsey,  Dr.  Downer  and  Esq.  Lanraan.  They  over- 
persuaded  and  hired  me  to  say  what  I  did  against  Mr. 
Rogers  when  he  was  bound  over,  and  it  was  not  true  !  ! 
Here  she  burst  into  tears  !  and  there  was  hardly  a  per- 
son in  the  Senate  Chamber,  who  did  not  weep.  After  a 
few  moments  Mr.  Stanton  said  to  her,  Did  you  not  once 
swear  that  it  was  true  ?  Ans.  I  suppose  I  did  ;  but  I 
now  with  sorrow  and  shame,  confess  that  it  was  not  true, 
and  I  never  should  have  said  it  had  it  not  been  for  them! 
By  JMr.  Stanton — Does  not  your  conscience  upbraid 
you?  Ans.  Yes,  sir,  my  accusing  Mr.  Rogers  wrongful- 
ly as  I  did,  has  caused  me  more  sorrow,  tears  and  troub- 
le, than  all  that  I  have  ever  said  or  done  besides  ;  and 
my  coming  here  of  my  own  accord,  (for  I  was  not  oblig- 
ed to  come  and  testif)'  against  myself)  is  an  evidence  of. 
my  sincerity. — -[^Here  followed  a  long  and  parliodar  er- 
aminaiion  by  the  Chairman  and  Mr.  Reed^  in  which  she. 
^ully  cleared  me  of  eccnj  crime  or  misconduct  with  her,  or 
within  her  knowled.ge,  and   then  handed  to  the  Chairman 


MEMOIRS.  \*i 

the  following  letter  which  she  had  written  to  the  church 
in  Hebron,  and  which  she  said  would  more  fully  explain 
her  conduct,  viz:] 

To  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Hebron. 

October  5th,  1819. 
With  shame  and  confusion  I  presume  to  address  you 
by  the  silent  language  of  a  pen,  and  it  is  humbly  to  con- 
fess my  fault,  and  earnestly  to  ask  your  forgireness.  I 
think  it  is  my  duty  to  say  that  Mr.  Rogers  is  certain!/ 
and  absolutely  innocent  of  what  has  been  laid  to  his* 
charge  concerning  me,  and  I  certainly  have  been  over- 
persuaded  and  induced  by  Col.  Halsey,  Dr.  Downer  and 
others,  to  testify  arid  say  that  against  Mr.  Rogers  which 
Avas  very  unjust  and  wrong.  They  assured  ine  that  he 
was  an  important  character,  a  cunning, 'artful  man,  and 
one  that  the  Bishop  and  Clergy  were  against,  and  if  I 
would  testify  against  him  it  would  be  more  for  my  honor, 
it  should  never  hurt  me,  it  should  never  cost  me  any 
thing,  &c. — that  I  should  be  protected,  that  the  whole 
town  would  pity  me  and  be  sorry  for  me,  that  all  his  en- 
emies would  become  my  friends,  and  that  my  character 
would  be  better  than  it  ever  was,  for  every  body  would 
take  my  part,  would  receive  me  into  company  and  treat 
me  with  respect, — and,  that  I  should  be  respected  by  all 
my  acquaintance.  But  if  I  did  not  do  it, — my  father 
was  dead,  my  mother  was  very  like  to  die;  I  had  no 
brother  to  take  my  part,  (George  Downer  was  gone  to 
the  Ohio  and  would  never  return)  I  should  be  hated  and 
despised  by  all  my  acquaintance  and  by  every  body. — 
Col.  Halsey  and  Dr.  Downer  came  to  our  house  and 
staid  all  night.  Dr.  Downer  took  me  into  a  bed  room 
alone,  and  there  talked  to  me,  he  said  as  a  friend,  and 
advised  and  overpersuaded  me  to  lay  my  misfortunes,  not 
to  his  son,  but  to  Mr.  Rogers,  and  then  for  the  first  time 
I  consented  to  do  it,  which  was  in  March  or  April  1819, 
Col.  Halsey  dictated  what  they  wanted  me  to  say,  and 
Dr.  Downer  wrote  it,  and  they  overpersuaded  me  ta 
agree  to  it  and  to  testify  to  it,  when  they  knew  and  I 
knew  that  it  was  fi'lse.  Mr.  Lanman  came  to  our  house 
and  staid  till  nine  or  ten  o'clock  at  night,  he  took  me 
into  our  east  chamber  alone,  and  though  he  said  it  woultt 


144  MEMOIRS 

not  do  for  him,  in  his  office,  to  advise,  yet  he  would  sav 
it  would  be  the  best  and  most  honorable  thing  that  I 
could  do  to  testify  against  Mr.  Rogers.  He  gave  me 
his  word  and  his  honor  that  it  never  should  hurt  me  or 
cost  me  any  thing,  and  that  I  should  be  protected;  at 
length  I  confess  I  was  overpowered  and  overpersuaded 
to  say  and  to  do  what  I  did,  and  for  which  I  am  now  sin- 
cerely sorry,  and  humbly  ask  forgiveness  of  God,  of  Mr. 
Rogers,  and  of  you.  If  there  is  any  excuse  or  pallia- 
tion for  me  or  my  conduct,  I  pray  you  to  consider  it,  &.c. 

AsENATH  C.  Smith. 

By  the  Chairman — Do  you  swear  that  this  letter  just 
read  is  in  your  hand  writing,  and  that  it  was  composed 
by  you  ?  Ans.  1  do.  By  the  same — Are  the  facts  con- 
tained in  this  letter  true?  Ans.  They  are.  By  the 
same — Was  it  written  of  your  own  accord,  and  without 
the  agency  or  assistance  of  any  one,  Ans.  It  was,  and 
I  did  it  because  I  thought  it  ray  duty. 

May  it  please  the  Committee — I  wish  now  to  introduce 
the  testimony  of  Mr.  Perry  Clark,  uncle  of  the  said  Ase- 
nath,  having  married  her  mother's  sister,  lived  in  the 
same  house  with  them,  and  brought  her  up  at  his  own 
table. — He  is  a  man  of  good  property — worth  eight  or 
ten  thousand  dollars  ;  of  good  moral  character,  and 
whose  truth  and  veracity  have  not,  within  my  knowledgft 
or  belief,  been  called  in  question.  On  trial,  he,  his  wife 
and  son,  were,  by  stratagem,  got  out  of  the  state,  and 
their  testimony  could  not  be  had. 

To  the  Hon.  Gen.  Assembly  of  Connecticut  in  May, 
1823, 

I  Perry  Clark,  of  Griswold,  county  of  New-London 
and  state  of  Connecticut,  of  lawful  age  depose  and  say, 
that  in  the  year  1817,  and  long  before  and  since  that  time, 
Asenath  C.  Smith  and  Maria  A,  Smith  lived  in  the  same 
house  with  me  ;  that  I  do  know  that  in  the  fore  part  of 
the  summer  of  1817  and  long  before  that  time,  a  certain 
young  physi^iian  was  in  the  habit  of  coming  to  my  house 
and  of  being  in  private  company  with  Asenath  C.  Smith; 
I  well  remember  that  not  long  before  he  went  his  jour- 
ney to  the  westward,  which  1  think  was  in  the  month  of 
.Julv  1817,  he  came  to  my  house  and  staid  all    night,  and 


MEMOIRS.  145 

I  personally  know  that  he  came  out  of  the  bed-chanaUer 
of  the  said  Asenath  at  that  time  between  break  of  day 
and  sun-rise  ^  [this  is  the  very  time  when  I  was  charged 
in  the  information  with  comniittinn;  that  crime  with  her 
for  which  I  have  suffered  two  yoars  imprisonment,  when 
n  truth  I  was  not  witliin  100  miles  of  her,  had  not  seen 
ler  that  whole  summer,  and  never  in  my  whole  life  had 
iny  improjyer  connection  with  her.]  And  \  depose  and 
say  that  I  have  no  knowledge  that  Ammi  iLogers  was  at 
my  house  during  the  summer  of  1817,  but  well  remem- 
ber that  lor  several  months  he  was  not  there:  and  I  un- 
derstood that  he  was  gone  into  the  state  of  New-York 
after  his  daughter,  kc. — that  in  1819,  (two  years. after 
the  supposed  child)  Col.  Hals^ey  and  Dr.  Avery  Downer, 
(father  of  the  said  young  physician)  came  to  my  house 
for  the  purpose  of  gettiti;^  the  said  Ascnath  and  Maria 
to  tesfiiy  against  Mr.  Rogers  5  t!;at  they  staid  all  night, 
and  ^ook  the  said  Asenath  into  a  private  bed-room  alone; 
that  the  next  morning  I  heard  t!ie  said  Ilalsfy  dictate, 
and  the  said  Downer  wrote  the  testimony  wiiich  I  heard 
the  said  girls  give  against  JMr.  Rogers  when  ho  wao  bound 
over  ;  that  the  crimes  charge  1  upon  Mr,  Rogerg  were 
said  to  have  been  committed  ?!:  my  house  in  1817,  but 
that  1  never  did  hear  the  said  Asenath  or  any  of  the  fam- 
ily accuse  him  in  these  things  until  1819  ;  (nearly  two 
years  afterwards)  and, I  depose  and  sjy,  that  about  that 
time,  James  Laiunan,  Es6,  the  stater's  attorney,  came  to 
my  house  at  about  two  ortiiree  o'clock  in  the  aftornoon 
and  took  the  said  Ascnath  into  my  east  chamber  alone, 
and  remained  tliere  wifh  her  until  somo  time  in  the  eve- 
ning, when  i  called  him,  (he  sayS  about  nine  or  ten 
o'clock  at  night!)  that  when  he  came  out  of  the  cham- 
ber he  ttki  me  that  for  A-o'iath  to  testify  ^tUjif^t  JMr. 
Rogers  (and  not  against  Gi^rge  Downer)  wolsTd  be  the 
best  and  most  hanorabi«  tiling  that  she  could  do!  that 
it  never  should  hurt  lier  or  cost  her  any  thing!  that 
she  need  not  and  should  not  be  called  Mpon  to  testify 
publicly,  but  only  before  a  justice  and  a  few  friends 
&c.  etc.  I  testify-  that  I  heaid  the  sai J  Halsey  ana 
Downer  givo  the  said  Aseaath  tho  same  assurances  at 
♦he  time  thev  came  to  my  hoUse  and   siaid   all   night, — 


146  MEMOIRS. 

And  I  further  testify  that  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1317, 
1  well  remember  that  the  said  Asenath  was  very  sickly, 
weak,  and  unwell,  and  had  fits,  and  particularly  on  the 
week  before  she  was  said  to  have  been  delivered, 
and  in  one  of  her  fits,  she  fell  from  her  bed  on  to  the 
tloor,  &,c. — And  further  the  deponent  saith  not. 

Perry  Clark. 

JVew-London  Cnimly,  ss.  GiiswolJ,  May  '2.0th,  1823. 

Personally  appeared  the  above  named  Perry  Clark, 
who  subscribed  and  made  solemn  oath  to  the  truth  of 
the  foregoing  deposition,  in  due  form  of  law. 

Before  me,  Jedediah  Barstoiv,  Justice  of  Peace. 

General  Assembly,  May,  1823,  opened  by  me, 

Thomas  Day,   Secretanj. 

The  depositions  of  Sophia  Clark,  wife  of  Perry  Clark 
aad  aunt  of  the  said  Asenath,  and  of  Lester  Clark  her 
cousin,  were  then  read,  in  which  they  depose  and  say 
substantially  the  same  as  is  contained  in  the  foregoing 
deposition  of  Perry  Clark,  and  particularly  that  Br. 
George  Downer  did  come  there  to  see  the  said  Ase- 
nath on  or  about  the  first  of  July  1817,  and  that  he 
staid  all  night,  that  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  doing  so 
for  two  or  three  years — that  they  had  no  knowledge  or 
belief  that  I  was  there  during  the  whole  summer  of 
3817,  or  that  I  ever  did  at  any  time  keep  private  com- 
pany or  have  any  improper  connection  with  her — that  in 
1819  Col.  Halsey  and  Dr.  Avery  Downer  did  come 
there  and  stay  all  night  &c.  as  stated  by  Mr.  Perry 
Clark — also,  that  they  never  heard  the  said  Asenath  or 
any  of  the  family  accuse  me  of  those  things  until  that 
time — that  James  Lanman  did  come  there  and  was  shut 
up  alone  with  her  in  their  east  chamber  as  stated  by  Mr, 
Clark — that  they  do  know  and  well  remember  that  in 
the  summer  and  fall  of  1817,  the  said  Asenath  was  very 
sickly,  weak  and  unwell,  and  had  fits,  and  on  a  certain 
time  had  fits  and  fell  from  the  bed  on  to  the  floor. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  in  Griswold  on  the  20th  day  of 
May,  1823,  before 

Jedediah  Barstow,  Justice  of  Peace. 
Gen.  Assembly  1823,  opened  by 

Thomas  Day,  Secrclary. 


RIEMoms.  14i 

May  it  please  (he  Commiltce — I  beg  permission  now  to 
read  the  deposition  of  Curtis  Hickox,  Esq.  to  prove  in 
the  first  plaee  that  I  have  been  falsely  accused,  and  that 
1  was  not  within  1 00  miles  of  the  person  and  place  where 
the  crimes  charged  upon  me  were  said  to  have  been 
committed. 

To  the  Hnn.  Gen.  Assembly  of  Conn,  in  May  1823. 
I  Curtis  Hickox,  of  Washington  in  Litchfield  county, 
of  lawful  age,  depos-?  and  say,— that  Ammi  Piogers  was 
at  my  house  in  Washington,  in  Litchfield  countv,  (about 
100  miles  from  Griswold)  on  the  first  dhy  of  July,  1817, 
that  I  then  and  ther6  paid  him  $40  in  money  and  took 
his  receipt  in  full  of  all  demands  ;  which  facts  I  after- 
wards stated  in  my  deposition  which  I  made  before  prop- 
er authority,  and  gave  to  said  Rogers  to  be  improved  in 
a  case  which  he  said  was  pending  again.st  him  in  behalf 
of  the  state,  (see  page  99)  and  which  deposition  I  now 
say  was  true  ;  and  that  the  inclosed,  viz.  "  Washington, 
July  1st,  1817.  This  day  settled  all  accounts  and  *rnat- 
ters,  of  every  name  and  nature,  with  Curtis  Hickox, 
and  received  forty  dollars  to  my  full  satisfaction.  Ammi 
Rogers," — is  a  true  copy  of  the  receipt  which  he  gave 
nie  at  my  house,  (about  100  miles  from  Griswold)  on 
that  said  first  day  of  July  1817,  and  further  this  deponent 
saith  not.  Curtis  Hickox. 

Litchfield  Co.  ss.  Washington  May  24lh,  1823. 

Personally  appeared  the  above  named  Curtis  Hickox, 
Lsq.  who  subscribed  and  made  solemn  oath  to  the  truth 
of  the  foregoing  deposition  in  due  form  of  law. 

Beiore  me,  Youngs  EUiot,  Justice  of  Peace. 

General  dssembbj^  May  1823,  opened  by  me, 

Thomas  Day,  Secretary. 

By  the  Chairman—Was  you  charged  in  the  informa- 
tion with  committing  that  crime  in  Griswold  on  that  par- 
ticular first  day  of  July  1817,  or  was  it  on  or  about  that 
day  ? — Ans.  It  was  on  that  dav  and  on  no  other  ;  and 
because  I  was  unjustly  deprived  of  this  evidence  on  trial, 
the  jury  falsely  declared  me  guilty,  and  bv  it  1  have  un- 
justly suffered  two  years  imprisonment,  i  then  laid  be- 
fore the  committee  a  certified  copy   of  the   original  in- 


148  MEMOIRS. 

formation  in  the  hand  writing  of  Mr.  Lanman,  and  also 
a  scandalous  and  malicious  book  which  Lanman  had 
caused  to  be  printed,  and  in  both  the  crime  was  charged 
to  have  been  committed  on  that  very  first  day  of  July, 
1817,  when  I  was  not  within  about  100  miles  of  the 
place  or  person^and  had  not  been  there  that  summer. 

Dr.  Wells  Beardslee  and  Homer  Sv/ift,  Esq.  of  the 
town  of  Kent,  made  solemn  oath,  deposed  and  said,  that 
in  the  month  of  April,  1819,  they  gave  their  deposition 
to  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  to  be  improved  in  a  case  which 
he  said  was  pending  against  him  in  behalf  of  the  state, 
that  from  the  records  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  that 
place  and  other  writings,  and  from  their  own  recollec- 
tion they  were  certain  that  on  the  first  day  of  July,  1817, 
and  for  some  time  before  he  was  with  them  in  Kent,  (not 
far  from  Washington)  and  that  he  was    not  in  Griswold. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  in  Kent  on  the  23d  day  of 
May,  1823. 

Before  JohxV  H.  Swift,  Justice  of  Peace. 

General  Assemhhj  Marj  1823,  opened  hij  me, 

Th03Ias  Day,  Secretary. 

May  it  please  the  Committe, — The  depositions  of  Curtis 
Hickox  Esq.  of  Dr.  Beardslee,  and  of  Homer  Swift  Esq. 
prove  beyond  all  contradiction  that  I  have  been  falsely 
accused,  for  that  I  was  not  within  100  miles  of  the  town 
of  Griswold  on  the  first  day  of  July,  1817,  where  and 
when  the  crimes  charged  upon  me  were  said  to  have 
been  committed  ;  and  this  evidence  was  then  in  the 
hands  of  the  civil  authority  of  Connecticut  :  but  because 
I  was  an  Episcopal  clergyman  and  unfriendly  to  the  re- 
ligious and  political  establishment  of  the  state,  it  was 
wickedly  and  cruelly  withheld  and  concealed,  and  the 
court  knowing  this  did  proceed  in  the  trial  without  them. 
Will  you,  gentlemen,  say  that  this  was  fair,  was  it  just  ? 
was  it  honest  or  honorable  .''  By  Mr.  Reed — What  proof 
have  you  of  this  ?  Ans.  I  have  abundance  of  proof — 
Capt.  John  Townsend  and  James  Cook  Esq.  have  made 
soJemn  oath,  and  it  is  certainly  true,  that  they  saw  mo 
deliver  these  papers,  (see  page  9i)  to  Lanman  and  Coit 
at  the  binding  over — that  on  trial  in  New-London,  Oct. 
1820,  they  stood  very  near  me    and   heard   me   call  for 


MEMOIRS.  149 

these  papers  that  they  were  withheld  and  the  court 
proceeded  in  the  trial  without  them.  Will  you  gentle- 
men !  will  the  legislature  of  Connecticut !  will  any  de- 
cent person  in  the  world  justify  such  conduct  !  !  and  not 
only  so,  but  extort  from  me,  on  peril  of  liberty  and  life, 
more  than  $600  to  pay  for  this  abonSinatle  wicked- 
ness ! 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  one  o'clock 
P.M. 

Hartford,  Marj^Qth,  1823. 
The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment.  I  ap- 
peared and  said,  Gentlemen — I  beg  permission  to  road 
the  journal  of  the  proceedings  in  this  case  on  yesterday, 
which  I  did;  and  then  said,  I  come  now  to  inquire  more 
particularly  into  the  conduct  of  Asenath,  and  wish  to  ask 
ner  some  questions. — She  was  called. — I  said,  Asenath 
yesterday  you  solemnly  testified  under  oath,  before  God 
and  this  Hon.  committee,  that  the  charges  against  me 
in  the  information  concerning  you  were  false — that  Col. 
Halsey,  Dr.  Downer  and  Esq.  Lanman,  had  overper- 
suaded  and  hired  you  to  testify  as  you  did  against  me 
when  I  was  bound  over,  that  it  was  not  true,  and  that  you 
never  should  have  said  it  had  it  not  been  for  them  ;  Do 
you  now  swear  that  what  you  then  testified  was  true  ? 
Ans.  I  do.  Do  you  say  on  your  oath  that  the  informa- 
tion against  me  concerning  you,  on  which  I  was  declared 
guilty,  and  have  suffered  two  years  imprisonment,  is 
false  ?  Ans.  I  do.  Is  my  petition  which  is  now  before 
this  Committee,  and  which  you  have  heard  read,  so  far 
as  it  relates  to  you,  and  so  far  as  your  knowledge  extends 
true  or  false  ?  Ans.     It  is  true. 

May  it  please  the  Committee — I  wish  now  to  read  the 
leposition  of  IMr.  Perry  Clark,  Curtis  Hickox,  Esq.  and 
others. — And  I  read  them  in  support  of  the  testimony 
which  Asenath  has  now  given,  and  in  support  of  the 
ruth  of  the  foregoing  letter  to  the  Church  in  Hebron. 

Mr.  Reed  then  introduced  a  BOOK,  containing  a  false 
eport  of  ray  trial,  printed  by  Mr.  Green  in  IVew-Lon- 
lon,  1820,  and  said  that  the  testimony  of  JMaria  A. 
smith  was  so  correct  and  circumstantial  that  it  seemed 
is  if  it  must  be  true  I  replied,  I  deny  that  she  ever 
1^* 


150  MEMOIRS. 

did  testify  as  is  contained  and  set  forth  in  that  Book  : 
and  let  me  ask,  who  says  she  did  ?  Ans.  The  Book.  I 
ask,  who  is  the  author  of  that  Book  }  Who  says  it  is 
true?  Ans.  I  do  not  know,  it  is  puhlished.  Yes  Sir, 
and  a  great  many  falsehoods  are  published,  and  even 
sanctioned  by  our.  Courts  of  law.  But  to  this  Book  I 
have  seventeen  objections  which  I  have  here  in  writing, 
and  which  I  now  beg  leave  to  read.  In  the  first  place, 
this  Book  is  a  Bastard,  it  has  no  father,  there  is  no  de- 
cent person  on  earth  who  would  not  be  ashamed  to  own 
it, — no  one  has  put  his  name  to  it  !  or  pledged  himself 
for  the  truth  of  it  :  and  will  this  committee  receive  it  as 
evidence  ?  I  say  secondly.  This  Book  contains  a  false 
report  of  my  trial.  Ey  Mr.  Hill — You  have  no  proof  of 
that.  Yes  Sir,  I  have  abundance  of  proof.  Capt.  John 
Townsend,  James  Cook,  Esq.  &,  Mr.  Enoch  Baker  have 
made  solemn  oath,  and  here  it  is,  that  they  were  present 
when  I  was  bound  over,  and  at  the  trial  ;  that  they  have 
read  the  book,  aqd  that  they  personally  know  it  to  be 
false  and  malicious.  I  read  my  objections  and  the  book 
was  ruled  out,  and  was  not  admitted  as  evidence. 

Mmj  it  please  the  Committee — T  wish  to  turn  your  atten- 
tion more  particularly  to  the  trial  which  v/as  very  par- 
tial and  unfair. 

Capt.  John  Townsend  of  Hebron,  Tolland  County, 
Conn,  of  lawful  age,  deposeth  and  saith,  that  he  was 
present  at  the  trial  of  Ammi  Rogers,  in  New-London, 
1820 — that  on  trial  he  heard  him  call  upon  Esq.  Coit  for 
the  papers  that  were  delivered  to  hitn  at  the  binding  over 
as  evidence  in  the  case,  that  they  were  withheld  and 
concealed,  and  the  Court  directed  the  Counsel  to  pro- 
ceed in  the  trial  without  them — that  he  stood  very  near 
said  Rogers  on  the  trial  when  the  said  papers  were  cal- 
led for--that  they  were  among  other  depositions  from 
Washington  and  Kent,  and  the  certificate  of  Elisha  Geer 
and  family,  &c. — tfliat  so  soon  as  the  pleaaings  were 
closed,  Mr.  Rogers  moved  to  introduce  the  principal 
witness  and  was  refused  by  the  court,  that  in  October 
lest  he  went  to  Norwich  after  said  Rogers  when  the 
time  of  his  imprisonment  had  expired,  that  the  state's 
attorney  came  into  the  piison  and  presented  him  a    note 


MEMOIRS.'  151 

to  sign,  as  the  condition  of  his  liberty — that  he  remon- 
strated in  warn  terms  and  refused  to  sign  it — that  the 
attorney  went  off,  apparently  in  anger,  and  said  he  might 
lie  in  jail — that  by  the  interference  of  himself  and  Esq. 
Stewart  said  Rogers  consented  to  sign  it,  but  at  the  same 
time  said  it  was  perfectly  unjust,  and  that  he  would  do 
it  only  to  obtain  his  liberty  and  to  save  his  life,  and  to- 
wards evening  did  sign  the  note  in  prison  and  came  out 

John  Townsend. 
Tolland  Connly,  ss.    Coventi^y,  May  26//t,  1 823. 

Personally  appeared  the  above  named  Capt.  Town- 
send  who  subscribed  and  made  solemn  oath  to  the  truth 
of  the  foregoing  deposition  in  due  form  of  law. 

Before   me,  I.sajau   Daggett,  Justice  of  Peace. 

Doct.  E.  B.  Dowxn.\G  testified  as  before  and  that  he 
knew  nothing  of  the  truth  of  the  crimes  charged  upon 
me. 

James  Covk,  Esq.  of  Preston,  deposes  and  says  that 
he  was  present  at  the  court  of  inquiry  in  the  case  of  the 
state  against  Ammi  Rogers,  that  he  distinctly  recollects 
that  said  Rogers  delivered  to  Esq.  Coit,  the  justice  at 
that  time,  a  number  of  papers  and  documents,  admitted 
by  consent  of  counsel  as  evidence  in  the  case  (here  he 
stated  whit  they  were,  see  page  91,)  that  he  was  present  at 
the  trial  in  New-London  1820,  and  heard  the  said  Rog- 
ers call  upon  said  Coit  for  those  papers,  that  he  refused 
lo  give  them  up  without  the  order  of  the  court,  that  the 
court  directed  them  to  be  given  up,  that  they  were  with- 
held, and  that  the  court  proceeded  in  the  trial  without  them 
— that  the  character  of  Maria  A.  Smith,  now  Maria  A. 
Packer,  and  Sam  the  negro,  who  were  the  principal 
witnesses  in  the  trial  of  said  Rogers,  were  net  equal  to 
ihat  of  people  in  general  in  point  of  trtdh  and  veracity. 

Subscribed  and  s'.vorn  in  Preston,  May  12th,  1823,  in 
due  form  of  law,  before 

Demson  Pat.mer,  Justice  of  Peace. 
General  Assembly,  May  1823,  opened  by  me. 
Thojias  Day,   Secretary. 

Denison  Palmer,  Esq.  of  Preston,  deposeth  and  saith 
ihat  in  the  month  of  September  1319,  Maria  A.  Smith 
'Jarae  before  him  and  made  solemn  oath,  that  she  had  no 


162  MEMOIRS. 

reason  to  think  that  the  charges  against  the  Rev.  Arami 
Rogers,  concerning  her  sister  were  true,  that  she  never 
heard  her  accuse  Mr.  Rogers  until  after  Mr.  Lanman, 
Col.  Halsey,  and  Doct.  Downer  came  there  and  over- 
persuaded  her,  and  told  her  it  would  be  more  for  her 
honor  end  credit,  and  said  they  would  pledge  their  lives 
that  she  never  should  be  harmed  if  she  would  lay  her 
child  to  Mr.  Rogers  ;  that  they  went  into  a  bed  room 
and  held  a  lengthy  conversation  with  Asenath,  and  when 
they  came  out,  she  heard  her  say  for  the  first  time,  (and 
that  was  about  two  years  after  it  was  supposed  to  have 
been  born)  that  the  child  was  Mr.  Rogers's  and  went 
on  with  other  accusations  which  she  never  heard  before 
— that  the  character  of  Sam,  the  negro,  a  principal  wit- 
ness in  the  trial  of  Mr.  Rogers,  was  not  then  and  is  not 

now,  that  of  a  man  of  truth  and  veracity. 
'     Subscribed  and  sworn  in  due  form  of  law  in  Preston, 
May  19th,  1823,  before  me, 

James  Cook,  Justice  of  Peace. 
General  Assemhly,  May  1 823,  opened  by  me, 
Thomas  Day,  Secretary. 
John  C.  Baker,  ofGriswold,  testified  that  he  was  pres- 
ent at  the  trial  of  Mr.  Rogers  1820,  that   Lester  Clark 
of  Griswold,   who   had  just   returned   from  the  state  of 
New- York,  desired  him  to  inform   Mr.   Rogers,  that  he 
had   returned,  that  he  knew  that  which  would   destroy 
the  testimony  of  Maria  A.  Smith,  that  if  he  would  send 
for  him,  he  would  come  and  do  it.      The  deponent  says 
he  did   inform   Mr.  Rogers   while  he  was  on  trial  ;  that 
he  heard  him  apply  to   the  court   to  send  fur  said  Clark, 
stating  that  he  %vas  a  material  tvitnc^is — that  as  he  was  then 
on  trial,  it  leas  out  of  his  power  to  send  himself ;  that    the 
court  wholly  refused,  and  went  on  in  the  trial  without  him. 
The  deponent  says  that  the  character  of  Maria  A.  Smith 
and  Sam  the  negro,  the   principal    witnesses  in  the  trial 
of  Mr.  Rogers,  was  not  then,  and  is  not  now,   equal    to 
that  of  mankind    in  general,  in   point  of  truth  and  vera- 
city. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  in  due  form  of  law,  in  Griswold, 
May  16th,  1823,  before 

j£S£DiAH  Barstow,  Justicc  of  Peacc. 


MEMOIRS.  15:. 

General  Assembly,  1823,  openeA  by  me, 

Thomas  Day,  Secretary. 

Capt.  E.  M.  Will'ia\p,s,  of  Groton,  made  solemn  oath 
that  he  heard  Maria  A.  Smith,  in  speaking  of  the  trial 
of  Mr.  Rogers,  say,  that  in  some  things  she  was  mista- 
ken in  what  she  testified  against  him  ;  and  in  other 
things  she  lied,  and  a  lie  never  had  choaked  her  and  did 
not  choak  her  then. 

Mr.  Samuel  Thayer  made  solemn  oath  that  he  heard 
3Iaria  A.  Smith  say  tome,  (just  before  the  trial  in  New- 
London,  and  on  being  by  me  reproved  for  Iving,)  well, 
T  do  not  care,  I  know  I  have  lied,  and  I  will  lie,  and  I 
have  lied  before  the  court,  and  I  will  again  if  I  have  a 
mind  to,  and  you  cannot  help  yourself 

Mr.  Lewis  Collins,  who  is  a  very  respectable  man, 
and  keeps  a  respectable  tavern  in  Chester  village,  Mass. 
made  solemn  oath,  deposed  and  said,  that  he  heard  Ma- 
ria A.  Smith  say,  (on  being  reproved  for  lying  and  false 
swearing)  Well,  I  do  not  care,  I  know  I  have  lied,  and 
lied  under  oath,  and  my  oath  is  good  for  nothing,  and  I 
am  glad  of  it. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  in  due  form  of  law  in  Chester, 
Dec.  4th,  1822,  before, 

lyUliam  Wade, Justice  of  Peace. 

I,  Peleg  Rose  of  Groton,  and  county  of  New-London, 
of  lawful  age,  depose  and  say,  that  I  was  present  at  the 
binding  over  of  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  in  April  1819, 
and  stood  near  him,  that  I  saw  him  deliver  to  Farwell 
Coit,  Esq.  and  James  I^anman,  a  number  of  papers  and 
documents,  among  which  I  well  remember  were  the 
depositions  of  Gentlemen  from  Washin2ton  and  Kent  in 
Litchfield  county,  and  also  a  deposition  of  Aseuath  C. 
Smith, and  her  letter  to  James  Cook  Esq.  in  which  she  had 
charged  her  supposed  child  upon  another  man,  and  had 
entirely  exonerated  Mr.  Rogers  of  all  improper  conduct 
with  her  or  within  her  knowledge, which  papers  he  distinct- 
ly remembers  were  delivered  to  the  justice  and  Lanman 
at  that  time,  were  kept  by  them  for  the  trial,  and  on  trial 
were  called  f)r  :  brjt  wickedly  and  corruptly  withheld- 
and  concealod  and  the  court  directed  the  counsel  to  pro- 
ceed in  the  trial  without  them,     and    I    testify    that   the 


354  MEMOI-RS. 

character  of  IMaria  A.  Smith  and  Sam  Wheeler,  the 
black  boy,  who  were  principal  witnesses  in  the  trial  of 
Mr.  Rogers, were  tiot  at  that  time  on  a  par  with  people  in 
general  in  point  of  trntii  and  veracity,  and  further  saith 
not.  Peleg  Rose. 

.Yeis-Londoii  Connly,  ss.  Groton,  May  19//?,  1823, 
Personally   appeared   the    above  named    Pcleg  Rose, 
who    subscribed  and  made  solemn  oath  to  the    truth    of 
the  furegoiug    deposition,  in  due    form    of    law    before 
me, 

Palmer  Ilcioetf,  Justice  of  Peace. 
General  Assembly,  May  1823,  opened  by  me, 

Thomas  Day,   Secretary. 

Address. 

Mcvj  tt  -phase  the  Honorable  Comm'iUec — • 
1  have  prayed  the  Hon.  General  Assembly  of   Conn 
now  convened,  to  grant  me  a  rehearing  on   the   informa- 
tion brought  against  me  by  James  Lanman,  Esq.  and  tc 
give  up  a  note  of  more  than  5^630,  which  was   extorted 
from  me  to  pay  the  cost    which   had   arisen   on  account 
of  that  information.     My  petition  was   founded    on  the 
ground,  that  I  was  wholly  innocent  of  the  crimes  charg- 
ed upon  me  ;  2d,  that  I  had  been  partially    and  unfairly 
tried  ;  3d,  that  I  was  unjustly  condemned  and  imprison- 
ed, and  wickedly  and  cruelly  deprived  of  almost    every 
thing  which  could  make  life  desirable.     On    tliis    memo- 
rial   the  Hon.    Gen.   Assembly   have    condescended   to 
appoint  a  joint  committee  of  both    houses,    which   com- 
mittee, gentlemen,  you  are,  to  investigate  the    grounds 
on  which  my  memorial   is  predicated.     I  have   by   your 
goodness,  had  an  opportunity  of  exhibiting    such    proof 
as  I  thought  must  be  conclusive.     In  the    first    place,    I 
am  wholly  innocent  of  the  crimes  charged    upon   me    in 
the  information.     I  solemnly  declare  this.     Asenath    C- 
Smith  herself  has  come  before  you  in    person,    and   ha-5 
solemnly  sworn  that    I   was   wholly    innocent   of   these 
crimes  charged  upon  me,  relative  to  her  ;  and  stated  the 
circumstances  ;  that  she  does  not  know  that  I  knew,   or 


MEMOIRS.  1j5 

had  been  informed  that  siiij    was,   or   had    been   like   to 
have  a  child  until  many  months  after  she  was  delivered: 
Gentlemen,  this  is  in  proof  now  before  you,  and  if  it  be 
true,  will  you  say  that  I  ourrht  in  justice  to  be   imprison- 
ed, and  to  pay  t!iat  note  ?  But  she  further  testiHes,   that 
she  was  at  that  time  and  lon<T   before,    in   the   habit   of 
keeping  private  company  with  a  certain   young   doctor  ; 
that  he  came  there  and  staid  all   night,    on  or  about  the 
first  day  of  July,  1317;  that   in  the    year  1817,  she    did 
not  see  me  at  home  or  abroad,  from  March  or  April,  un- 
til some  time  in  September,  and  that  I  never  did   at   any 
time  in  my  life  offer  her  any  carnal  or  indecent    connec- 
tion ;  gentlemen,  this  is  in  proof  before  you,    and    if  it 
be  true,  ought  I  and  my  children  and    friends,  and    the 
public  to  suffer  ?    But   what,    I   beseech  you,   is    there 
against  this  proof  ?  does  the  witness  herself  confess  that 
she  was  overpersuaded  to  make  oath  to    the   contrary  ; 
and  therefore  she  ought  not  to  be  believed  ?  But   Maria 
A.  Smith  confessed  before  the  superior  court  that  she  had 
often  acknowledged   that   she   had   taken   a   false   oath 
against  me,  when  I  was  bound  over,  and  th.at  old  Halsey, 
Dr.  Downer,  and  James  Lanman  had  hired  her  to  do  it  , 
she  made  oath  before  Denison  Palmer,    Esq.    and   it  is 
now  in  proof  before  this  committee,  that  she  had  r.o  rea- 
son to  believe  that  the  charges    against   me   were   true. 
At  one  time  she  said  that  she    had  taken  a  false    oath  a 
gainst  me,  yet  the  superior  court  admitted  her  testimony 
to  condemn  me,  why  then  will  not  this  committee  receive 
the  testimony  of  Asenath  C.  Smith,  who  is  ten  thousand 
times  more  to  be  believed,  to  clear   me  ?    It   is   now  in 
proof  before  this  committee,  that  Maria   A.  Smith,    and 
Sam  the  negro,  were  not  at  the  time   of   my   trial,   and 
are  not   now,  persons  of  truth  and   veracity,    and   that 
they  ought  not  to  be  be'.leved  ;  Mr.  Enoch  Baker  swears 
it,  James  Cook,  Esq.  Denison  Palmer,    Esq.    Mr.  Pe- 
leg  Rose,  Mr.  John  C.  Baker,  all  swear  it,  and  this  com- 
mittee must  think  that  all  these  respectable  men  are  per- 
jured, or  that  the  said  Maria  and  negro,  ought  ndt  to  be 
believed,  of  course  that  I  am  innocent  and  ought  not   to 
pay  the  note.     The  present  testimony  of  the   said   Aae- 
nath,  is  supported  by  other   testimony  which  cannot   be 


ISfi  MEMOIRS. 

controverted.  She  swears  that  in  the  summer  of  1817, 
and  long  before,  she  was  in  the  habit  of  keeping  private 
company  with  a  certain  young  physician  ;  that  about  the 
first  day  of  July,  1817,  he  came  there  and  staid  all  night; 
that  she  was  then  begotten  Avith  that  child,  which  his  fa- 
ther and  others  induced  her  in  1819  to  swear  falsely  up- 
on me. 

Mr.  Perry  Clark  swears  that  she  lived  in  the  same 
house  with  him;  that  he  knows  a  certain  young  physi- 
cian was  in  the  habit  of  coming  there,  and  of  being  in 
her  private  company  ;  that  he  came  there  about  the  first 
of  July,  1817,  or  just  before  he  vv?rt  his  journey  to  the 
westward,  and  staid  all  night  ;  anc  he  personally  knew 
that  he  came  out  of  her  bed  chambi  :•  at  that  time,  between 
break  of  day  and  runiise  ;  that  he  had  no  knowledge  or 
belief  that  I  was  tiiere  during  that  su;nmer  :that  he  nev- 
er heard  her  cr  any  of  the  family  accuse  me  until  1819  ; 
that  Halsey  and  Downer,  father  of  the  young  doctor, 
came  (!iere  and  staid  all  night,  and  took  her  into  a  pri- 
vate bed  room  alone  :  that  the  next  morning  Halsey 
lictated,  and  Oowner  wrote  these  ac  usations  against  me; 
that  Lauman  ^vas  shut  up  a  long  time  with  her  alone  in 
his  east  chamber,  and  then  told  him  that  it  would  be  the 
best  and  most  honorable  thing  that  she  could  do  to  charge 
those  crimes  upon  mo  :  that  ?he  should  be  protected,  it 
should  never  hurt  hur,  and  hlvi  need  not,  and  should  not 
be  called  upon  to  testify  publicly  in  the  case, 

Curtis  Hickox,  Esq.  swears,  that  on  that  very  day, 
when  I  was  accused  of  committir.g  that  crime  with  her 
in  Giiswold,  I  was  at  his  house  in  Washington  ;  that  he 
there  and  then  paid  me  .$40  in  money,  and  tcck  my  re- 
ceipt in  full,  dated  on  that  very  day,  100  miles  from 
Griswold,  and  sent  a  copy  of  it.  Dr.  Eeardslee  swears 
that  on  that  day,  and  for' some  time  before,  I  v/as  with  him 
in  Kent,  and  not  in  Griswold.  Gentlemen,  all  this 
evidence  is  now  legally  before  you,  and  will  you,  can  you 
in  conscience  say  tliat  I  am  guilty  of  begetting  Ascnalh 
C.  Smith  with  child,  in  Grisv/old,  on  the  first  day  of  Ju- 
ly, or.  at'- any  other  tims.^  consider  the  evidence, 
f  beseech  you,. and  make  that  report  whl<ii  you  can  jus- 
iify  before  the  bar  of  God,  and  the  bar  of  your  ovftt  con- 


MEMOIKS.  1B7  . 

cciences.  She  swears  that  she  lost  her  child  by  sick- 
ness, by  infirmity,  or  by  accident.  Dr.  Downing  who 
delivered  her,  swears,  und  it  is  now  in  evidence  before 
this  committee,  that  lie  saw  no  marks  of  violence  upon 
it,  or  its  mother  ;  that  it  might  be  loFt  by  sickness,  or 
by  infirmity,  or  by  accident.  Mr.  Peiry  Clnrk,  who 
lived  in  the  very  same  house  with  her,  swears,  and  it  is 
now  in  evidence  before  the  committee,  that  in  the  sum- 
mer and  fall  of  1827,  he  well  rcn  embers  tliat  the  said 
Asenath  was  very  sickly,  weak  emd  unwell,  and  had  fits, 
and  particularly  on  the  week  htfrne  she  was  said  to  be 
delivered, and  in  one  of  her  fits  she  met  with  an  accident 
of  falling  from  the  bed  on  to  the  fl.jor.  Sophia  Clark 
and  Xester  Clark  swear  the  same.  Does  the  committee 
believe  this  testiiHoay  ?  if  so,  the  testimony  of  Asenath 
is  supported,  and  I  am  acquitted. 

But,  may  it  please  the  cnmittee,  there  is  another 
ground  on  which  I  pray  to  have  my  note  given  up,  and 
that  is,  that  I  wps  partially  and  unfairly  tried.  It  is  now 
in  proof  that  the  principal  wi  ness  in  this  case,  the  wit- 
ness on  whose  oath  I  was  boi.id  over  fcr  trial,  and 
on  whose  oath  I  ought  to  have  been  condemned  or 
acquitted,  was  rejected  by  the  court  on  the  ground  that 
she  we  s  not  ofll-red  sooner.  I  claim  to  be  a  man  of 
some  understanding.  If  the  decision  of  Judge  Brain- 
ard  in  this  very  case  had  been  adhered  to,  no  testimony 
would  have  been  admitted  unt;;  the  main  facts  charged 
had  been  first  proved  ;  a?  d  ttiori  Asenath  must  have 
been  introduced  by  them,  and  s  le  could  have  told  the 
whole  story,  and  they  could  no*  iniptach  or  contradict 
their  own  witness  ;  the  all-nigl;t  visit,  the  private  bed- 
room conference,  and  the  east  chamber  agreement  would 
have  come  to  view.  Asenath  says  that  they  overpersua- 
ded  and  induced  her  to  swear  these  crimes  falsely  upon 
me.  That  she  did  ^^wear  them  falsely  upon  me  is  unde- 
niable :  for  she  sv  re  that  I  committed  this  crime  with 
her  in  Griswold,  on  the  first  day  of  July,  1817.  Is  this 
true  ?  Curtis  Hickox,  Esq.  swears,  that  cntkatvcnj  day 
i  was  at  his  hou;je  in  V.  ashingtcn,  100  miles  from  her, 
and  from  Griswold.  Dr.  Eeards'.ee  swears,  that  on  that 
very  claw,  and  for  seme  time  before,  I  was  in  Kent,  and 
14 


158  MEMOIRS. 

not  in  Griswold.  Mr.  Clark  swe«irs  that  he  had  ti& 
knowledge  that  I  was  at  his  house,  where  she  lived,  dur- 
ing  that  whole  summer,  and  for  sf^vcral  months  knows  that 
i  was  not  there  ;  that  he  knows  that  another  man  was 
there  and  staid  all  night,  and  he  personally  knew  that  he 
came  out  of  her  bed  chamber  at  that  time,  between 
break  of  day  and  sunrise,  so  tliat  it  is  undenible,  that  1 
was  falsely  accused,  and  she  was  induced  to  swear  these 
crimes  falsely  upon  me.  But  the  question  is,  Rid  Hal- 
sey,  Downer,  and  Lanman  overpersuade  and  induce  her 
to  swear  falsely  ?  The  misfortune  happened'  to  her  in 
1817 — in  1819,  Halsey  and  Downer  went  there  for  the 
purpose  of  getting  her  to  swear  against  me — she  was  ta- 
ken into  a  private  bed  room  alone — they  promised  her 
honor,  friendship,  protection,  safety,  and  even  secrecy  if 
she  would  swear  against  me— Halsey  dictated  the  story 
and  Downer  wrote  it.  Soon  after,  Lanman  went  there, 
about  eight  miles,  was  shut  up  with  her  alone  for  many 
hours  ;  he  said  it  would  be  the  best  and  most  honorable 
thing  that  she  could  do,  to  swear  against  me  ;  that  she 
should  be  protected  ;  that  it  never  should  hurt  her  ;  that 
she  need  not  and  should  not  be  called  upon  to  testify  pub- 
licly in  the  case.  She  did  swear  !  and  he  called  upon 
her  to  swear  publicly,  and  she  swore  falsely,  and  she  now 
swears  that  they  overpersuaded  her  to  swear  falsely  ; 
and  that  her  false  swearing,  which  has  ruined  me  unjust- 
ly, has  caused  her  more  sorrow,  tears  and  trouble,  than 
all  the  transactions  of  her  life  besides.  Gentlemen,  these 
\hing3  are  in  legal  proof  before  you,  and  can  you  now 
say  with  a  good  conscience,  that  the  grounds  of  my  me- 
morial are  not  well  supported  .^  Can  you  say  with  truth 
that  she  did  not  swear  falsely  against  me  ?  Can  you 
in  a  good  conscience  say  that  these  men  did  not  over- 
persuade  and  wickedly  induce  her  to  swear  falsely  .''  and 
can  you  say  that  the  note  to  pay  the  cost  of  this  abomin- 
able iniquity  ought  not  to  be  given  up  "i  If  on  my  trial 
I  had  brought  forward  this  witness  they  could  have  pro- 
ved what  she  swore  falsely  against  me  when  I  was  bound 
over  ;  I  could  not  have  contradicted  or  impeached  my 
own  witness,  and  1  should  have  been  condemned  by  her 
former  testimony,  and  in  this  way  I  could  not  have  the 


MEMOIRS.  \X 

ronstitutional  right  of  confronting  the  principal  witness 
ogainst  me  ;  ami  on  this  ground  I  claim  that  my  trial 
has  been  unconstitutional,  partial  and  very  unfaii. 
Gentlemen,  I  appeal  to  the  common  understanding 
of  all  mankind,  would  any  pjblic  officer,  would 
any  man  who  wanted  notlnng  but  public  justice,  have 
djue  as  these  men  have  ?  And  will  you  uphold  them  ? 
will  you  extort  from  me  more  than  ^630,  to  pay  for  the 
dreadful  and  scandalous  falsehood  charged  upon  me,  for 
the  unspeakably  ruinous  and  distressing  persecution 
which  has  been  inflicted  on  me,  and  on  my  innocent  chil- 
dren, and  parishes  by  their  means  ?  Will  it  be  just, 
will  it  be  honorable  to  Connecticut  ?  I  claim  that  my 
trial  was  partial  and  unfair  in  that  collateral  testimony 
was  admitted  before  the  facts  charged  were  proved  ;  in 
that  Asenath  C.  Smith,  the  principal  witness,  was  not 
called  on  to  support,  if  she  could,  the  prosecution.  I 
claim  that  my  trial  was  partial  and  unfair,  in  tiiat  the 
court  refused  to  send  for  Mr.  Lester  Clark,  whose  testi- 
timony  was  necessary  in  my  defence.  What  can  be 
more  oppressive  and  unjust,  than  to  call  a  person  before 
you  as  a  criminal,  refuse  him  the  evidence  of  his  inno- 
cence, when  it  is  within  your  power,  and  within  a  few 
miles  of  you,  and  then  condemn  him  to  prison,  to  infamy 
to  utter  ruin,  in  want  of  it.  Has  this  thing  been  done 
in  Connecticut  ?  Mr.  John  C.  Baker  swears  it,  and  it 
is  true,  I  called  upon  the  court  to  send  for  Lester 
Clark,  as  a  witness  necessary  in  my  defence  ;  the  court 
declined,  and  be  was  not  there.  Now,  you,  gentlemen, 
are  appointed  by  both  houses  of  the  General  Assembly 
to  report  on  this  case,  will  you  say  that  it  is  fair  and  I 
ought  to  pay  for  it  ? 

I  claim  that  my  trial  was  unconstitutional,  not  only  in 
that  I  was  deprived  of  the  privilege  of  confrontijig  the 
principal  witness  against  me,  the  witness  on  whose  oath 
I  was  bound  over  for  trial,  not  only  in  that  the  judge  re- 
fused to  send  for  a  witness  necessary  in  the  defence  of 
the  accused,  not  only  in  that  I  was  put  in  jeopardy  twice 
for  the  same  supposed  offence,  but  in  that  the  trial  was  put 
off  on  the  part  of  the  prosecution  almost  eighteen  months, 
whereas  the  constitution  provides  that  every  person  who 
is  accused  shall  have  a  speedy  trial.       I  claim  that  the 


wo  MEMOIRS. 

trial  was  absolutely  unlawful,  in   that  it  was   more   than 
three  venrs  aftar  Ihe  crimes  iDcrt  said  to  have  been   commit- 
ted, and   almost  two  years  before   the    prosecution   was 
commenced  so  that  it  was   outlawed    by  the  statute   of 
limitation.     It  is  in  proof  before  this  committee,  attested 
by  Capt.  Towasend,  Esq.  Cook  and  Mr.  Rose,  that   im- 
portant papers  ai^  documents,  the  undeniable  evidence  ol 
my  innocence,  were  delivered  to  the  justice  at  the   bind- 
ing over  ;  that  on  trial  they  were  called  for  :  that   they 
were  withheld,  and  that  the  court  proceeded  without  them. 
Will  you,  gentlemen,  report  that  this  was  fair,  and  ought 
not  to  be  inquired  into,  and  that  I  ought  to  pay  for  it  and 
be  imprisoned  and  ruined  in  this  way  ?  to  take  a  clergyman 
from  his  beloved  children  and  friends,  from  his  parishes, 
consisting  of  more  than  2000  souls;  where  for  more  than 
si.x  years  there  had  not  been  a  voice  or  a  vote  against  him, 
except  one  man,  to  take  him  from  the   pulpit,    and   from 
the  altar  of  God,    and   the  pledges   of  divine   love,   by 
the  most  false  and  infamous  accusations,  to   refuse   him 
the  privilege  of  confronting  the  principal  witness  against 
him  ;  to  refuse  to  send  for  a  witness  necessary  in  his  de- 
fence ;  to  putolTthe  trial  for  eighteen  months  ;  to  with- 
hold and  conceal  inportant   papers  and  documents,   the 
undeniable   evidence  of  his  innocence,  and  in  this  way '^ 
to  proceed  to  try  him,  condemn  him,  to  imprison  him,    to 
disgrace  him,  and  to  ruin  him.''     What    can  be   worse  ? 
and  I  submit  it  to  this  coinmittee  to  say,  if  from  the  evi- 
dence now  before  them,  ttiese  things  have  nut  been  prac- 
tised upon  me,  and  abundantly  proved  .'  and    will  you. 
gentlemen,  say,  because  they  are  done  by  the  Honorable 
Superior  Court,  I  shall  not  have  a  hearing  in  these  things, 
that  they  shall  not  be  reported  to  the  Honorable  Gener- 
al Assembly  ?     But  I  pray  you  to  give  up  my  note,   not 
only  because  it  was  unjust   that  I  should  give  it,  in   that 
the  charges  against  me    were  undeniably  false,  and   are 
so  now  in  proof  before  this  committee  ;  not  only  because 
my  trial  was  unconstitutional,  unlawful,  partial  and   un- 
fair ;  not   only  because   my  condemnation  was  unjust, 
and  my  imprisonment  cruel  and  wicked  ;  but  because  it 
was  extorted  from  me  in  duresse,  extorted  from  me  while 
I  was  in  prison,  and  coiild  not  help  myself,  it  was  taking 


MEMOIRS  ICI 

the  advanfage  of  my  siiaation,  and  as  much  compulsion 
Q3  it  would  have  bee  i  to  put  a  knife  to  my  throat,  or  a 
pistol  to  my  breast  ;  in  that  it  was  demanded  and  taken 
as  the  only  condition  of  my  liberty,  and  perhaps  of  my 
life.  Capi  Townsend  swears  expressly,  and  it  is  now  in 
evidence  before  you,  that  he  was  present  when  the  note 
was  signed  ;  that  I  then  remonstrated  in  warm  terms, 
and  refused  to  sign  it  ;  that  the  State's  Attorney  said 
that  I  might  then  he  in  jail,  and  went  off  in  anger  ;  that 
I  said  it  was  perfectly  unjust  ;  (and  1  think  that  I  have 
abundantly  proved  by  Asonath  C.  Smith  herself,  by  Dr. 
Downing,  Mr.  Perry  Clark,  Curtis  Hickox,  Esq.  Dr. 
Beardslee  and  others,  that  it  really  was  so)  he  swears 
that  I  then  declared  that  I  would  sign  it  only  to  obtain 
my  liberty  and  perhaps  my  life  ;  and  in  this  way  I  did 
sign  it,  hoping  and  believing  that  the  Honorable  Gen- 
eral Assembly  would  afford  me  relief  ;  and  gentlemen, 
I  now  request  you  to  give  up  in  your  report,  Riy  note  on 
each,  and  on  all  the  before  mentioned  grounds  ;  and  in 
justice  to  me,  to  yourselves  and  to  the  public,  1  hope  and 
believG  you  must  and  will  do  it. 

By  the  Chairman — Have  you  any  documents  relative 
to  your  former  standing  ?  Ans.  i  have,  may  it  please 
your  honor  ;  but  not  directed  expressly  to  this  General 
Assembly. 

Jacob  Bunniel,  of  Branford,  New-Kaven  County  and 
state  of  Connecticut,  of  ia.vfu I  age,  deposeth  and  saith 
that  he  has  been  for  many  years  one  of  tlie  wardens  of 
St.  Andrews'  Chuichin  Branlbrd  ;  that  \iv.  was  person- 
ally and  well  acquainted  with  the  parents  and  grand  pa- 
rents of  the  Ilev.  Amnu  Roge  s  before  ho  was  born  ; 
that  they  were  always  considered  a/nong  the  most  respec- 
table for  charticter  and  prcporty  of  any  of  the  inhabitants 
of  this  town  ;  that  he  has  bean  personally  and  well  ac- 
quainted witii  the  Rev.  Amirii  Rogers,  who  was  born 
and  brought  up  vithin  about  one  mile  of  the  place  where 
this  deponent  has  lived  evrr  since  the  said  Rogers  was 
born  ;  that  he  never  knew  any  thing  unbecoming  in  the 
conduct  or  character  of  the  said  Rogers  ;  and  that  there 
never  was,  to  his  knowledge,  any  blemish  fixed  upon 
his  character  in  this  t>wa  ;  that  previous  to  his  oi- 
14* 


163  .  MEMOIRS. 

dination,  this  deponent  and  the  committee  of  the  Episco- 
pal Church  in  Branford  did  sign  and  send  to  the  Bishop 
and  standing  committee  a  recommendation  for  the  said 
Rogers  to  be  ordained  ;  and  this  deponent  says  that 
some  years  after  this,  the  said  Rogers  was  unanimously 
chosen  to  be  min'mter  of  this  parish  ;  that  the  congrega- 
tion were  united  under  liim  as  their  minister,  and  that  he 
never  knew  or  heard  of  any  person  in  this  town  who  had 
any  just  cause  of  complaint  against  said  Rogers  either 
as  a  minister  or  as  a  man.  And  further  this  deponent 
saith  not.  Jacob  Bunniel. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  in  Branford  in  due  form  of  law^ 
before 

Bentjamint  Page,  Justice  of  Peace. 
Samuel  Russell  and  Isaac  Hoadley,  wardens  of  Trinity 
Church  in  Branford,  certiiy  that  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rog- 
ers was  born  of  respectable  parents,  and  brought  up  in 
this  town  and  neighborhood  :  that  they  have  been  con- 
stantly and  well  acquainted  with  him  from  his  infancy 
before  he  entered  college,  while  at  college,  and  ever 
since  he  has  been  in  the  ministry,  and  at  no  period  of  his 
life  bas  any  blemish  been  fixed  upon  his  character;  that 
he  now  is  and  always  has  been  highly  esteemed  and  res- 
pected in  this  town;  and  that  the  church  was  never  so 
united  and  so  prosperous  as  while  under  his  ministry. 

Bishop  Jarvis  himself,  my  enemy  and  persecutor,  gave 
public  and  oflicial  assurance  in  behalf  of  himself  and  of 
all  the  Episcopal  Clergy  of  Connecticut,  that  they  had 
nothing  against  me,  that  my  character  and  authority 
were  good,  &.C.,  see  the  depcsilions  of  Mr.  Andrews,  Esq. 
Dudley,  and  tht  Rev.  Dr.  Manifold. 

Mr.  Joel  Chafield,  one  of  the  wardens  of  Union 
Church  in  Derby,  gave  the  most  unexceptionable  testi- 
mony in  my  favor. 

Messrs.  Thomas  Wells  and  Hiram  Haughton,  the  war- 
dens of  St.  Peter's  Church  in  Hebron,  made  solemn 
oath,  that  I  was  the  settled  minister  of  that  parish,  that 
my  character  was  good,  that  for  six  years  then  last  past, 
they  had  never  known  or  heard  of  a  voice  or  a  vot( 
against  me  in  their  parish  except  one  man,  who  had  Ion; 
since  sold  his  property  and  gone  off. 


MEMOIRS.  16S 

Mesirs.  Eli  Knox  and  Marcus  Gibbs,  committee  of  the 
Episcopal  Societ)'  in  Blanfoid,  Mass.  certify  that  the 
Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  has  occasionally  performed  divine 
service  and  preached  in  this  society  for  ten  years  last 
past;  that  for  some  time  past,  and  at  the  present  time,  ho 
is  employed  to  perform  divine  service,  and  to  preach 
here  a  part  of  the  time  ;  and  that  we  consider  his  char- 
acter and  his  standing,  as  a  minister  and  as  a  man,  to 
be  good. 

Dated  May  29th,  1820. 

We  the  Committee,  appointed  hy  and  in  behalf  of  St 
James'  Church  in  Poquatanic,  (not  far  from  Griswoldj 
to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  certain  evil  reports,  circulated 
by  Di.Downcr,  Col.  Halsey  and  others,  against  the  Rev. 
Ammi  Rogers,  on  which  a  prosecution  has  been  institu- 
ted,— do  certify  and  rej) ort,  that  we  have  been  personal- 
ly to  the  house  where  the  ill  conduct  was  said  to  have 
transpired;  that  we  have  made  diligent  inquiry  of  the  per- 
son implicated,  of  all  the  family,  and  of  the  neighbors  ; 
that  we  have  also  attended  the  C  )urt  of  inquiry,  and  the 
court  of  trial  ;  and  that  wc  are  fully  satisried  that  the 
reports,  now  charged,  are  wholly  false  and  ought  not  to 
be  regarded. 

James  Cook,    |    Committee  of  St.    Jameses 
Pei.eg  Rose,    }•  Church. 

Poquatanic,  April  5th,  1820. 

At  an  annual  meeting  of  the  puri'ih  of  St.  James^  Church, 
tn  Poquatanic,  Ic^-allijvHirmd  and  htldin  said  Church, 
tiiis  5lh  dai/  of  April,  18x23,— 

Voted  unanimouslij ,  That  in  tlie  opiijnn  of  this  meet- 
ing, the  papers  issued  by  Bish.')j.  Jirvis  a^^ainst  the  Rev. 
Ammi  Rogers,  are  wholly  uucjnslihjijonal  and  uncan- 
onicai:  and  whereas  tUe  said  liogers  has  performed  di- 
vine service  and  preached  iii  thii  cluueh  a  considerable 
part  of  the  time  since  1814,  we  t!>ink  it  due  to  him,  to 
ourselves,  and  to  (he  public,  to  E;:y,  tli;it  so  far  as  we 
know,  his  conduct  in  this  paii=h,  both  as  a  minister,  and 
as  a  man,  has  been  perfectly  unexceptionable. 
A  true  copy  of  Record. 

Attest,   Ebexezer  Geer,  Socicty''3   Clerk. 
There  is  no   report   of  the   committee,  nor  pretence 


164  MEMOIRS. 

suggested,  that  I  have  not  been  filsely  accused,  partial- 
ly and  unfairly  tried,  u;  justly  oondenined  and  imprison- 
ed, and  wickedly  and  cruelly  depiivfd  of  almost  every 
thing  which  could  make  lite  ;lr.sirable,  and  a  note  of 
more  than  ^^630  to  pay  the  f  ost  and  expense,  extorted 
from  me  on  peril  of  myliber'.y  and  life.  I  say  the  com- 
mittee have  not  pretended  th;;t  all  this  wa'?  not  proved, 
'and  that  all  this  was  not. trie:  Im  t  that  it  would  be  a 
manifest  encroachment  upon  'lie  jL.t'.iciary,  for  the  Gen. 
jAsse.mbly  to  grant  a  roheariiig  on  the  terms  proposed, 
land  I  w.  uld  not  take  the  not ;  on  nny  other  condhion  ; 
;Good  God  of  heaven  !  has  it  co.r.e  to  this  !  can  the 
citizens  of  Connecticut  be  treated  in  tliis  way  and  have 
no  redress  ! 

O,  Merciful  God,  and  Heavenly  Father,  who  hast' 
taught  me  in  thy  hDly  word  that  Ihou  joest  not  willingly- 
afflict  or  grieve  the  children  of  men  ;  look  v/ith  pity,  I 
beseech  thee,  upon  the  sorrov^s  of  thy  servant,  who  am 
now  under  affliction  and  perbccution.  In  tliy  wisdom 
thou  hast  s(;en  fi(  to  suffer  me  to  be  visited  with  trouble 
and  to  have  distress  brought  upon  me.     Remember  me, 

0  Lord,  in  mercy  sanctity  thy  fatherly  corrections  to 
me,  endue  my  soul  with  patience  under  my  alllictions, 
and  with  resignation  to  thy  bessed  will:  comfort  me  with 
a  sense  of  thy  goodness,  lift  up  the  light  of  thy  counte- 
nance upon  me,  and  give  me  peaco  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.  Grant,  O  Lord,  that  all  my  sufferings  here, 
upon  earth  for  the  testimony  of  thy  truth,  and  a  good 
conscience,  may  terminate  in  thy  glory  ard  the  salva- 
tion of  my  own  sonl  :  may  I  louk  up  to  heaven  and  be-i 
hold  thy  glory  which  shall  be   revealed   hereafter  :  may 

1  learn  to  love  and  bless  my  persecutors.  Father  of 
mercies,  please  to  forgive  them  and  to  turn  their  hearts  j 
please  to  bless  and  preserve  all  Christian  rulers  and  ma-> 
gistrates,  give  them  grace  to  execute  justice  and  to 
maintain  truth  ;  please  to  relieve  the  distressed,  protect 
tlie  innocent  and  make  their  innocence  to  appear  ;  bless 
all  mankind  with  every  needful  gift,  convert  the  uncon- 
verted, and  fill  the  world  witli  thy  glory  ;  cast  the  bright 
beams  of  thy  light  upon  thy  church,  that  we  may  so 
vyalk  in  the  light  of  thy  truth  here  that  we  may  at  length 


MEMOIRS,  W5 

altain  everlasting  life  through  Jesus  Christ  our   Lord  — 
Amen. 

Our  Father  who  art  in  Heaven,  &c. 

Just  Jud  .'e  of  Heavon,  against  my  foes, 

Du  tlii'U  assert  my  injured  right; 
O  set  me  fa-c,  my  Coil,  tVoiii  ihuse 

Who  in  deceit  and  wrong  delight. 

Since  thou  art  still  my  only  stay- 
Why  le.iv'st  tlioii  mc  ia  deep  distress — 

Wliy  gi)  I  mourning  all  the  day, 

Whilst  ine  insulling  fjes  op[jress. — (43d  Psalm.) 

A GJl LYS T  L YlffG  AND  FALSE  S  WEARmG. 

The  Eternal  God  hath  said— Thou   shalt  not  bear  false 
witness  against  thy  neighbor.  „    ,     ^   „        ,,    . 

Coolly  and  deliberately  to  call  the  God  of  all  worlds  to 
witness  and  to  sanction  that  which  we  know  to  be   false, 
or  that  which  we  do  not  know  to  be  true  :  or  to   mduco 
others  to  do  the  same,  is  profane,  is  impious,  is  Heaven- 
daring,  is  God-defying  !  O,  how   drrad.ul  !  how   shock- 
in<T  '  °how     dangerous   for   time    and   eternity,   is  false 
swearin<T  !  it  hardens  the  soul    against   all   the    impres- 
sions of°divine  love  and  fear  ;  it  banishes  the   influence 
of  divine  grace  from  our    hearts  !  It   dissolves   all  civil 
compact.     Our  courts  of  law  ought  to  render  judgment 
accordin<T  to  evidence  ;  if  that    evidence   be    false,   the 
judgment"  will  be  false.     And  as  it   respects   individuals, 
how  unjust,  how  cruel,  how  abusive  is  false  witness.     It 
deprives  us  of  life,  and   of  every   thing  which  can  make 
hfe  desirable— by  it,  I  have  suffered,  and  by  it   you  may 
suffer      No  character,  no  honor,  no  profession,  no  prop- 
erty, nothing  valuable  can  be  safe  !  Da  I  see  my  beloved 
father  or  mother,  do  I  see  a  dear  brother  or   a  charming 
sister,  do  I  see,  O,  Gracious  God  !  do  I  see  my  wife  or 
daughter,  by  perjury  and  by    falsehood,   torn  from  my 
bleeding  bosom,  from   every  thing   honorable,  pleasant, 
gay  and  cheerful  ;  dragged  to  a  court  of  Justice,  stfipt 
of  honor,  character  and  happiness  ;  loaded  with  indeli- 
ble infamy  and  disgrace  ;  my  fondest  hopes  are   blasted, 
my  animating  expectations  are  cut  off,  all  my   comfort  is 
gone,  and  with  unspeakable  sorrow  and  anguish  my  gray^ 


1S<!  MEMOIRS. 

hairs  are  brought  do'A'n  to  the  grave  !  and  what  is  the' 
cause  ?  Oh,  it  is  false  swearinff  and  perjury  !  Thou  fell 
monster  of  hell  !  what  hast  thou  not  done  I  Begone, 
get  thee  hence  !  begone  forever  thou  child  of  the  devil! 
What  can  make  any  person  appear  so  perfectly  ridicu- 
lous, hateful  and  contemptible,  as  to  be  detected  in  a 
disgraceful,  mean  lie  ?  Tliere  is  not  a  decent  person  on 
earth  who  would  not  resent  even  the  suspicion  of  it  ; 
there  is  not  the  meanest  scoundrel  who  walks  the  streets 
of  New-York,  or  any  other  place,  who  would  not  be 
ashamed  of  it.  Liars  and  hypocrites  are  to  have  their 
portion  in  a  bad  place,  in  the  lake  which  burns  with  fire 
and  brimstone  !  Tlie  devil  himself  is  said  to  have  been 
a  liar  from  the  beginning, and  liars  and  perjured  persons 
are  children  of  the  devil.  I  love  and  pity  their  souls, 
but  I  despise  their  conduct.  If  it  be  possible,  O,  Fa- 
ther in  Heaven,  to  forgive  so  great,  so  henious,  so  de- 
structive, so  disgraceful  sins  against  thee,  and  against 
all  human  safely  and  happiness,  look  upon  them  in  mer- 
cy, make  them  sensible  of  tlieir  crimes  and  bring  them 
to  repentance,  and  to  a  better  use  of  their  tongues. 

Let  a  person  possess  all  the  wealth  of  the  Indies,  or 
all  the  gold  of  Peru  :  let  hini  be  honored  with  all  the 
offices  and  stations  in  the  power  of  men  to  bestow,  yet 
if  he  be  destitute  of  truth,  he  certainly  is  rotten  at  the 
core,  he  is  detestable  in  the  siglit  of  God  and  man — 
look  at  him  !  see  a  liar  !  a  false  swearer  !  a  perjured 
person  !  how  mean  he  is  !  how  despicable  !  how  dread- 
ful !  I  advise  parents  to  teach  their  children,  above  all 
other  qualifications,  the  love  and  practice  of  truth  ; 
and  to  impress  their  minds,  as  much  as  possible,  with 
an  inward  abhorrence  and  detestation  of  falsehood  and 
misrepresentation.  If  a  person  be  ever  so  poor,  if  mis- 
fortunes surround  him  on  every  side,  if  he  be  afflicted 
in  mind,  body  and  estate,  and  is  overwhelmed  in  sorrows 
and  troubles,  yet,  if  he  be  a  man  of  truth,  if  what  he 
says*  may  be  relied  on,  he  will  be  respected,  he  will  be 
comforted  and  relieved.  We  have  a  silent  monitor 
within  us,  unless,  by  falsehood  and  perjury  we  have 
banished  him,  and  he  will  inform  us  what  is   truth,  and 


MEMOIRS.  ^^ 

what  is  not.     la  this  case  the  words  of  Pope  are  excel- 
lent, viz. 

Wliat  conscience  dicUtcs  to  be  done. 

Or  warns  me  not  to  dn. 
This  teach  me  luoie  than  hell  to  fhun. 

That,  more  th.m  Hea\en  juisue. 

St  Paul  says,  our  rejoicin::  is  this,  the  testimony  of  a 
eood  conscience,  that  in  sii.,-licity  and  godly  sincerity 
we  have  had  our  conversaliou  in  the  world  But  con- 
science is  not  an  inlallibie  guide  ;  huw  often  have  I 
conscientiously,  and  sincerely  thought  I  was  right,  and 
afterwards  been  convinced  that  1  was  wrong  !  and  even 
in  matters  of  religion,  our  consciences  are  greatly  influ- 
enced by  education  and  custom  !  Still  it  is  the  best  guide 
in  the  world  when  regulated  by  the  holy  sciiptures,  and 
the  best  information  which  we  can  obtain.  O,  Aimighty 
and  Eternal  God,  make  me,  and  till  mankind,  1  beseech 
thee,  at  all  times,  to  love  those  things  which  thou  dost 
command,  and  to  desire  those  things  which  thou  dost 
promise^  that  so,  among  the  sundry  and  manifold 
chances  of  the  world,  our  hearts  may  surely  there  be 
fixed;  where  true  joys  are  to  bo  found,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Our  Father   who  art  in  Heaven,  Slc. 


CHAPTER  XVIL 

The  witnesses  testified  before  the  Legislature,  and 
their  testimony  was  supported  by  the  testimony  of  others, 
that  Col.  Halsey  and  Dr.  Downer,  and  James  Lanman, 
Esq.  overpersuaded  and  hired  them  to  testify  agamet  me 
as  they  did  before  the  court,  and  that  it  was  not  true, 
and  they  knew  it.  Now  stand  still  and  see  the  judg. 
nients  of  Heaven  upon  these  wicked  men  ;  in  less  than 
three  years. 

Ccl.  Jeremiah  Halseyy  who  had  been  a  noted  lawyer,  a 
state's  attorney,  a  man  of  greut  property  and  distmction 
has  become  a    poor  miserable  vagabond  ;  he   has  had 


16S  »rE3I0IRS. 

the  numb  palsy,  hh  mouth  drawn  on  ono  side,  he  spita 
and  drules  :  he  got  drunk,  fall  from  his  h^rse,  was  taken 
up  out  of  compassion,  at  Mr.  Abel  Spi  jf^rN,  where  he  lay 
all  night,  wet  the  bed  and  dirtied  him^olf  ,  his  son-in-law 
turned  him  out  of  doar,  he  has  not  a  'njuse  to  shelter 
his  head  ;  a  demand  of  5^20  was  ofTored  to  me  against 
him  by  a  I\Ir.  Kimbal  for  one  of  these  books — only  fifty 
cents,  I  would  not  talcc  it  ;  and  ho  is  now  actually  a 
town  pauper  ;  he  dra^^ged  out  a  miserable  existence 
and  last  fall  died  on  the  town. 

Dr.  AD^^l'!J  Ddwiici',  of  Preston,  was  once  a  noted  phy- 
sician, looked  upon  to  be  a  man  of  good  property,  well 
respected  and  promoted  in  the  town.  In  less  than  two 
years  after  I  came  out  of  jail,  every  cent  of  his  proper- 
ty was  sold  at  the  post  by  the  sheriff ;  he  has  not 
a  shelter  of  his  own  to  cover  his  head,  and  now  goes 
from  grog-shop  to  grog-shop,  a  poor,  miserable  out- 
cast  in  society,  by  most  of  his  acquaintances  hated  and 
despised. 

James  Lanman,  Esq.  was  educated  inthe  same  College 
and  at  the  same-time  witii  ma  ;  he  has  been  a  noted 
lawyer,  state's  attorney,  and  six  years  a  Senator  of  the 
U.  S.  Since  ihese  false  accusations  against  me,  he  has 
been  publicly  btirnt  in  effigy  in  the  city  of  Hartford, 
hung  in  effigy  in  the  city  of  New-London,  drowned  in 
effigy  in  Norwich,  and  publicly  whipped  iu  his  own  per- 
son !  in  Norwicii  landing,  ')y  a  Mr.  Story  on  this  very 
account,  in  pressnce  of  hundreds  of  his  own  citizens, 
and  not  a  man  to  take  hi.-,  part,  except  his  own  son,  who 
said  to  him  ;  Go  homo,  father,  for  you  have  more  ene- 
mies here  than  there  ar(;  bees  in  a  hive.  He  has  been 
refused  a  seat  in  C->ngre3S,  &c.  left  out  of  office,  and 
1  know  no  man  who  has  beconie  more  universally  ha- 
ted and  d  jspised,  by  all  classes  of  people,  in  the  town 
where  he  lives,  t'.iaa  James  Lanman,  and  it  is  said  he 
is  more  than  ^5,030  worse  than  nothing,  as  to  property  ; 
he  has  lately  married  another  m  m's  wile,  and  it  is  said 
he  has  got  some  property  by  her,  which  he  is  spending 
very  fast. 

Judge  Chapman,  who  conducted  the  trial,  and  pronoun- 
ced sentence  upon  me,   soon  after  sickened,   languish- 


MEMOIRS.  169 

ed,  died,  and  is  now  in  his  grave  ;  he  never  saw  a  well 
day  afterwards,  and  never  sit  on  the  bench  as  Judge 
again. 

Jisenalh  C.  Smith,  has  loft  the  United  States,  and  I  do 
not  know  what  has  become  of  her. 

Maria  Jl.  Smith,  (the  supposed  sister  of  Jincnalh  ;  be- 
cause the  circumstances  of  her  birth  were  such,  that  her 
father  never  would  own  her  ;  he  went  to  sea  and  has  never 
returned,)  after  my  trial  she  returned  to  Springfield,  with 
Ira  Daniels,  (who  was  very  anxious  to  have  me  con- 
demned,) his  property  was  all  attached,  his  friends  had 
forsaken  him,  he  fled  ;  she  returned  to  Griswold,  desti- 
tute, despised  and  neglected — she  then  went  to  the  city 
of  New- York,  and  it  is  said,  supported  herself  at  the 
expense  of  her  chastity  ;  returned  to  Groton,  sickly, 
and  diseased  ;  John  Packer  took  her  part,  and  took  her 
in,  and  he  has  since  neglected  his  own  wife  and  children, 
and  has  had  a  bastard  by  his  wife's  sister. 

Ma)%a — married  a  poor,  drunken  fellow,  and  lives 
very  unhappy. 

Sam  Wheeler,  the  negro,  has  since  my  trial,  been 
convicted  of  breaking  open  a  store  and  stealing,  in 
North  Stonington  ;  aid  is  now  justly  sufTering  two  years 
imprisonment  in  Newgate  State  Prison,  at  Simsbufy 
Mines. 

John  P.  Trctt,  the  Foreman  of  'he  Jury  who  pronourt- 
ced  me  guilty,  soon  after  my  trial,  sickened,  and  1  m- 
guished  and  died,  and  is  now  in  the  grave  !  is  it  noth- 
ing to  you,  all  ye  that  pass  by  .''  Is  it  not  woiderful,  is 
it  not  astonishing  to  view  and  cc.isider  the  judgments 
of  Heaven,  which  have  attended  the  peroetrat  )rs  of  this 
horrid  plan,  these  persecutors  of  injured  innocence, 
and  although  they  have  made  mo  enemies  among  those 
who  will  judge  a  case  without  examining  or  knowing  it  ; 
yet  what  has  become  of  all  these  abominable  .-.onspira- 
tors.  I  do  not  believe  that  people  always  receive  all 
tkeir  punishment  in  this  world  ;  I  am  not  a  universalist, 
yet  great  plagues  remain  for  the  ungodly  Elias  Brews- 
ter, who  was  called  io  support  th3  character  of  Maria 
and  Sam,  had  an  amiable  wife  who  hung  herself  the 
very  next  v.'inter,  and  there  is  hardly  an  individual  among 

15 


170  MEMOIRS. 

them,  wRo  has  taken  part  against  me  in  this  case,  who 
has  not  been  obliged  to  drink  the  bitter  cup  of  afflic- 
tion. Look  at  them  !  what  were  they  once  ?  what  are 
Jiey  naw  ? 

As  to  my  own  conduct  and  character,  actions  speak 
louder  than  words.  I  was  ordained  and  settled  in  the 
state  of  New-York,  and  remained  there  in  the  ministry 
about  ten  o.  twelve  years,  and  was  dismissed  after  the 
death  of  my  wife  with  great  reluctance,  and  only  at  my 
own  request,  and  without  the  least  fault  found  in  me.  I 
was  then  settled  in  Eranford,  the  place  where  I  was 
born  and  brought  up  ;  where  my  parents  and  grand  pa- 
rents livedj  and  where  I  had  been  known  from  my  in- 
fancy, without  a  dissenting  voice  or  vote  ;  and  with  a 
larger  salary  than  they  had,  at  any  time,  ever  given  to 
any  other  clergyman.  If  there  had  been  any  thing  in 
my  youthful  days,  against  me,  or  my  family,  or  my  con- 
nections, would  there  be  no  one  to  lift  a  hand  or  stir  a 
tongue  against  my  settlement  there  as  a  minister.  ?  Af- 
ter I  had  been  gone  from  Ballston  about  three  years,  a 
meeting  was  called  and  in  a  congregation  of  more  than 
700  souls,  a  very  unanimous  vote  was  passed  (only  two 
dissenting  votes)  for  me  to  return  and  again  become 
their  minister,  with  the  same  salary  I  had  before,  viz. 
£"216  a  year  ;  and  if  there  had  been  any  thing  against 
me  in  the  county  of  Saratoga  would  tficy  want  me  bad: 
again  ? 

Eiisha  3Iillcr,  Joseph  Von  Kirh,  and  Eleazer  Doivs,  in- 
habitants of  the  county  of  Saratoga  and  state  of  New- 
York,  being  convened  and  duly  sworn,  depose  and  say, 
that  thoy  have  been  personally  and  well  acquainted  with 
the  Rev.  Ammi  iicgers  for  nearly  twenty  years  last  past; 
that  they  were  vestrymen  of  Christ's  church,  in. Ballston, 
a  great  part  of  the  time  the  said  Rogers  preached  in 
said  church,  which  was  about  ten  or  twelve  years  ;  that 
his  general  conduct  and  character  were  good  ;  tliat  he 
was  dismissed  from  said  church  with  great  reiuctanco, 
and  wkhout  the  least  fault  found  in  him  ;  that  at  the 
time  they  regretted,  and  still  do  regret,  his  leaving  them  : 
and  the  congregation  manifested  the  same  disposition  ; 
that  about  thice  years  after  Mr.    Rogers   left    Ballston, 


MEMOIRS.  m 

they  were  present  at  a  very  full  meeting  of  the  congre- 
gation of  said  church  in  Ballston,  [the  number  of  souls 
there,  belonging  to  that  parish,  were  then  about  700,  and 
the  number  of  communicants  about  280,]  at  which 
meeting  a  very  unanimous  vote  was  passed,  only  two 
dissenting  votes,  for  him  to  return  to  Ballston  and  again 
become  their  minister  ;  and  further  the  deponents  say 
not. 

Elisha  Miller,     Eleazer  Dows, 

Joseph  Van  Kirk. 

Personally  appeared  Elisha  Miller,  Joseph  Van  Kirk, 

and  Eleazer  Dows,  who   subscribed    and  made    solemn 

oath  to  the  truth  of  the  foregoing  deposition,  in  due  form 

of  law. 

Before  me,  ADAM  COMSTOCK,  one  of  the  judg- 
es, &c. 

Messrs.  Joshua  Bloore,  (my  wife's  father,  and  John 
Bloore,  her  brother,)  Samuel  Hollister,  Reuben  Smith, 
John  Higby,  Ira  Betts,  Levi  Benedict  and  others  of 
Ballston,  depose,  and  on  their  oaths  say,  that  they  have 
been  personally  and  well  acquainted  with  the  Rev.  Am- 
mi  Rogers  for  about  twenty  years  last  past  ;  that  they 
have  severally  considered  him  a  faithful  minister,  and 
remarkably  attentive  to  the  several  duties  of  his  min- 
isterial office  ;  that  they  do  respectfully  consider  him  a 
man  of  truth,  of  honor,  and  of  strict  integrity  ;  that  all 
did,  and  still  do  regret  his  leaving  them  to  reside  in  an- 
other state  ;  and  that  they  do  not  consider  him  justly  lia- 
ble to  reproach. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  before 

Adam  Comstock,  one  of  the  Judges,  Sfc. 
In  Jewitt  City,  one  mile  from  the  place  where  tlic 
crimes  charged  upon  me  were  said  to  have  been  commit- 
ted, in  1817  ;  in  1319,  two  years  after,  the  wardens  and 
vestrymen  of  St  George's  church.  Voted  unanimously, 
That  we  are  not  sensible,  neither  do  v/e  believe,  that 
any  blame  or  misconduct  can  be  justly  imputed  to  Mr. 
Rogers.  Signed  hv  Charles  Fanning,  John  Schofield, 
Simeon  Lathrop,  James  Burnham,  Christopher  Avery, 
Enoch  Baker,  Peleg  Frv,  and  others,  wardens  and  ves- 
trymen 


!«  MEMOIRS 


MASONIC. 


At  a  regular  communication  of  Franklin  Lodge. 
^0.  37,  in  Ballston,  County  of  Saratoga,  state  of 
New- York,  duly  convened  in  their  hall,  and  opened 
in  due  form,  this  2Jst  day  of  Febuary,  A.  L.  5826, — 
Voted,  That  the  Worshipful  Master,  the  Senior  and 
Junior  Wardens,  and  Brothers  John  Monro,  Peter  Roe, 
and  Isaac  Johnson,  be  a  committee  to  inquire  into  the 
conduct,  character  and  standing  of  our  Rev.  Brother, 
Ammi  Rogers,  and  to  report  this  evening. 

We,  the  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  case  of 
our  Rev.  Brother  Ammi  Rogers,  respectfully  report, 
that  after  strict  trial  and  due  examination  of  him,  of 
his  documents,  and  of  the  records  of  this  Lodge,  we 
find  that  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1794,  he  was  regularly 
initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  freemasonry  in  this  lodge; 
that  he  was  passed  and  raised  to  the  sublime  degree  of 
Master  Mason;  and  that  he  now  is,  and  for  about  thirty- 
two  years  Jast  past,  has  been  a  member  in  regular  and 
in  good  standing  in  this  lodge:  That  from  public  docu- 
ments, duly  attested,  and  certified  by  civil  authority, 
which  we  have  seen,  we  are  fully  in  the  opinion  that 
there  has  been,  in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  one  of  the 
most  wicked,  cruel,  and  abominable  conspiracies,  ecclesi- 
astical and  civil,  formed  and  executed  against  our  Broth- 
er Rogers,  which  ever  was  formed  against  any  man  in 
any  country;  and  that  it  is  the  imperative  duty  of  every 
freemason,  of  every  order  and  degree,  to  espouse  his 
cause:  and  that  his  conduct  and  character  in  this  town 
and  county,  where  he  has  resided  a  part  of  the  time, 
and  where  he  has  been  well  acquainted  for  about  34 
years  last  past,  is,  and  uniformly  has  been,  so  far  as  we 
know  and  believe,  good  and  exemplary,  and  we  hereby 
recommend  him  as  a  worthy  man,  a  worthy  minister  c 
the  gospel  and  a  worthy  mason. 

Dated  Ballston,  February  2ist,  1826. 

Bemley  Peters,  Master. 
William  Sauxuers,  S.  Warden. 
N.  J.  Selly,  J.    Warden. 


MEMOIRS.  m 

John  Monro,  Peter  Roe,  Isaac  Johnson,  Committee  of 
Franklin  Lodge,  No.  37. 

Voted  tmaminouslij,  That  the  foregoing  report  be  ac- 
cepted by  this  Lodge,  and  that  the  secretary  be  di- 
rected to  furnish  Brother  Rogers  with  a  certified  copy  of 
the  same. 

Attest,  John  Miller,  Jr.'  Secretary. 

St.  John's  Lodge  in  Greenfield,  the  Lodge  in  Galway, 
Montgomery  Royal  Arch  Chapter  in  Stillwater,  and  ma- 
ny other  Lodges  and  Chapters  in  the  County  of  Sarato- 
ga and  State  of  New-York,  also  in  Massachusetts  and 
Rhode-Island,  took  up  my  case,  examined  my  documents, 
and  after  strict  trial  and  fair  examination,  gave  the  ful- 
lest testimonials  in  my  favor,  and  their  unwavering  de- 
termination to  espouse  the  cause  of  a  much  injured, 
much  persecuted,  but  worthy  brother  and  companion j 
and  to  them  I  returned  the  following 

MASONIC  ADDRESS. 

My  much  beloved  and  much  respected  brethren  of  all 
orders  and  degrees  in  Freemasonry,  please  to  accept  my 
most  sincere  thanks  for  your  kind  interference  in  my  be- 
half, and  su'ffer  me  to  congratulate  myself,  to  congratu- 
late you,  and  to  congratulate  the  whole  world,  that  there 
is  an  institution  so  ancient,  so  honorable,  so  well  found- 
ed, and  so  well  calculated  to  soften  the  asperities  of  hu- 
man life,  to  conciliate  the  affections,  and  to  refine  the 
manners  of  mankind.  While  in  this  small,  dark  world, 
we  are  by  nature  poor,  and  miserable,  and  blind,  and  na- 
ked, no  beings  more  destitute,  Avithout  clothing  or  the 
implements  of  defence,  aliens  from  the  commonwealth  of 
Israel,  without  God  and  without  hope  in  the  world.  In 
this  situation  the  blessed  Sun  of  Righteousness  arises 
with  healing  in  his  wings.  He  proclaims  glory  to  God 
in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace  and  good  will  towards 
men  ;  and  I  heard  a  voice  saying  unto  me,  ask  and  ye 
shall  receive,  seek  and  ye  shall  find,  knock  and  it  shal; 
be  opened  unto  you  :  so  that  a  way  is  now  provided  for 
our  admission  into  the  blessed  society  of  saints  in  light. 
Though  now,  while  in  this  small  dark  world  we  may  b€ 
15* 


J74  MEMOIRS. 

poor,  and   blind,  and  naked  ;  yet  if  we  are   prepared  in 
our  hearts,  if  we   divest  ourselves  of  all   self-righteous- 
ness, of  all  confidence  in  the  desh,  or  in  our  own  accom- 
plishments or  abilities  ,  we  may  seek  for  admittance  into 
this  heavenly  kingdom,    and  by  benig  led  by  this  Sun  of 
Righteousness,  who  is  our  Friend,  and  whom   we   shall 
soon  find  to  be  our  Elder  Brother    and    Redeemer,  we 
may  boldly  knock  at  the  door  of  divine  grace,  and  it  shall 
be  opened  unto  us  ;  we  may  seek  the  light  of  this  heav- 
enly kingdom  and  we  shall  find  it,  we    may   ask  to   have 
and  receive  part  of  the  benefits  of  this  kingdom,  and  we 
shall  have  them.     But  let  it  never    be  forgotten  that  as 
the   disciples  were  pricked   in  the  heart  when  St.  Peter 
first  preached  to  them  this  kingdom,  so  we  must  all  feel 
ia  our  naked    breasts   that  torture   which  should   be    a 
shield  to  our  faith,  a  prick  to  our  conscience,  and  which 
will  be  certain   death  if  we  resist  or   do  despite  to  this 
spirit  of  grace  ;  this  is  sharper  than  a  two  edged   sword, 
and  must  not  be  resisted  :     But  we,  my  brethren,   must 
be  animated  by  the  spirit  of  the  living  God,  we  must  be 
led  by  Jesus    Christ,  our    friend  and  brother,  and  in  the 
presence  of  the    all-seeing  eye  of  God,   and  before  the 
throne  of  divine  grace,  we  must  upon  our  bended  knees, 
pray  for  the  guidance  and  direction  of  Him  who   is  infi- 
nitely wise  :  then  as  we  put  our  trust  in  God,  our   faith 
will  be  well    founded,   we  may   arise   and  follow   Jesus 
Christ  our  leader,  and  fear  no  danger.       We  may  meet 
with  opposition  from  the  darkness  of  the  west  ;  the  vio- 
lence of  the  south  may  oppose  us  ;  yet  by    putting    our 
trust  in  God,  and  following  the  counsels  and   directions 
of  his  Son,  that    invaluable    Friend  of  human  kind,  we 
may  go  all  around,  and  round,  and  round  tiie  world,  and 
fear  no  danger  ;  we  shall  be  taught  to    take  the  steps  of 
the  Gospel,  we  shall,  upon  the  right  angle  and  square  of 
our  work,  upon  our  bended    knee  make  our  vow  of  obe- 
dience to  the    God  of  heaven  ;  wc  shall  then  be  brougld 
out  of  the  darkness  of  nature  into  the  most  astonishing  light 
of  the  Gospel  !     We  shall  then  clearly    sec,  that  as  the 
sun  rules,  governs  and  enlightens  the  day,  as  the  moon 
rules,  governs   and   enlightens  the  night,  so  the    Son  of 
God  rules,  governs  and  enlightens  his  church.    We  shall 


MEMOIRS.  175 

then  see  the  great  light  of  God's  holy  word  in  all  its 
beauty  and  richness,  to  rule  and  govern  our  faith  ;  we 
shall  see  that  which  will  keep  us  within  due  bounds  with 
all  men,  but  especially  with  those  who  have  obtained 
the  like  precious  faith  with  ourselves.  We  shall  see 
that  which  will  square  all  our  actions,  by  teaching  us 
that  noblest  and  best  of  all  rules,  to  do  to  others  as  xoe 
would  have  thetn  to  do  to  us  in  like  circumstances ;  we  shall 
see  the  necessity  of  using  the  Christian  gavel  of  affection 
to  knock  off  every  turbulent  passion,  and  every  rough 
corner  of  the  human  heart.  We  shall  see  the  scythe  6f 
time  cutting  down  all  before  it  ;  we  shall  observe  the 
hour  glass  and  the  twenty  four  inch  guage. 

This  will  teach  us,  that  as   entered  apjjrentices  in  the 
work  of  our  God,  we  must  be  shod  with  the    preparation 
of  the  Gospel  of  peace  ;  that  we  must  be  clothed   with 
the  badge  of  innocence  ;  and  if  we  thus  stand,  with  our 
loins  girt  and  our  lamps  burning;  if  we    learn  to   have 
our  conversation  right,  and   to  do  as  we   should  do,  and 
to  speak  as  we  should  speak  ;  we  may   then  by    special 
favor  obtain  more  light  ;  we  may  then  pass  on  to  be  fel 
low  laborers  and  fellow  crajh  in  the  work  of  the  Gospel; 
as  workers  together   AviiU  me,   saith  St.  Paul.   We  shall 
then  see  that  without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God; 
by  our  faith  and  sincere  obedience  we  shall    have  hope 
to  enjoy  the  eternal   and  all    ji^lorious  Godhead    tor  ever 
and  ever  ;  Ave  shall  havecharitVj  the  noblest  and   great- 
est of  all  christian  graces  ;  by   fnis  we   shall  love   God 
supremely,  and  our   neighbor   as  oyrselves.     We  shall 
remember  what  we  once  were,  and  have  compassion  for 
our  brethren:  we  shall  love  as  brethren,  be  kind,  be  pit- 
iful, be  courteous;  not  rendering  evil  for  eyil,  or  railing 
for  railing;  but  contrary  wise,  blessing.     So  that   in  that 
temple  which  is  founded  upon  the  Rock  of  Ages — which 
stands  upon  wisdom,    strength,    and   beauty;    we  shall 
possess  faith,  hope  and  charity.     In  faith  we  shall  de- 
pend   upon  the    mercy  and  direction  of    God  through 
Christ;  wo  shall,  in  the   blessed  hope   of  the    Gospel, 
cheerfully  meet  the  scythe  of  time;  we  -shall  lie  down 
in  the  silent  grave,  that  we    may  av/ake  in  the  glorious 
morn  of  the  resurrection.      In  charitv^  vre  shall  love 


!76  MEMOIRS. 

God  and  all  his  creatures  ;  with  the  trowel  of  charity 
we  shall  smooth  overall  (heir words  and  all  their  actions, 
we  shall  be  unwilling  (o  think  ill,  unwilling  to  speak  ill, 
unwilling  to  do  ill,  to  any  one  ;  but  we  shall  be  perfect- 
ly joined  together  in  the  same  mind,  and  in  the  same 
judgment,  and  there  will  be  no  divisions  among  us.  O, 
blessed  God  !  what  a  happy  time  will  this  be  ;  and  thus 
may  we  be  raised  to  the  sublime  degree  of  master  builders 
in  the  spiritual  temple  of  our  God. 

Conspiracies  may  be  formed  against  us;  ruffians  may 
assault  us  and  lay  violent  hands  upon  us;  the  world  may 
ca?t  us  out  as  rubbish  ;  they  may  heave  us  over  their  pale 
of  charity  ;  we  may  wander  about  in  goat  skins  and 
sheep  skins,  destitute,  afflicted,  tormented  ;  we  may  be 
stoned  and  sawn  asunder  ;  the  violence  of  our  enemies 
may  smite  us  to  the  ground;  yet  if  ive  maintain  our  integ- 
rity, the  vine,  the  myrtle  and  the  cassia,  shall  grow 
from  our  grave.  Though  in  the  Patriarchal  religion  : 
O  Lord  and  my  God  !  the  flesh  may  be  rotten  and  cleave 
from  the  bone  ;  yet,  in  the  Jewish  religion,  there  is  mar- 
row in  the  bone  ;  and  in  the  Chrisiiian,  life  and  immor- 
tality are  brought  to  light,  the  strong  grip  of  the  Lion  of 
the  tribe  of  Judah,  \vho  is  Jesus  Christ  himself,  who  is 
the  resurrection  and  the  life,  will  raise  up  our  dead  bod- 
ies and  fashion  them  like  unto  his  own  most  glorious 
body,  according  to  the  niighty  working  whereby  he  is 
able  to- subdue  all  things  unto  himself 

As  Jesus  Christ,  Wiio  is  the  resurrection  and  the  life, 
and  in  v/hom  alone  there  is  peace  and  safety,  is  called  in 
scripture,  the  righteous  branch  ;  as  he  declares  of  him- 
self, that  he  is  the  true  and  living  vine  ;  as  the  dove  re- 
turned to  Noah's  Ark  with  a  green  Olive  branch  in  her 
mouth,  in  token  that  the  flood  was  over,  and  that  there 
was  peace  and  safety  on  earth  ;  so  we,  when  called  upon 
tire  melancholy  task  of  depositing  the  dead  bodies  of  our 
brethren  in  the  grave,  deposit  with  them  green  bouglis, 
in  token,  and  in  the  blessed  hope  of  peace,  safety  and 
immortality  to  them.  So  that  in  the  masonic  order,  foun- 
ded upon  the  great,  eternal  I  aim,  who  said  let  there 
be  light,  and  there  was  light  ;  founded  also  upon  the 
'yreat   light  of  God's  word,   if  our  hearts,  like   those  ot 


BIEMOIRS.  177 

David  and  Jonathan,  be  knit  together  ia  pure  love  and 
sincere  friendship:  if  our  constancy  be  such  that  we  can 
truly  say  with  the  holy  Job,  though  he  slay  me  yet  will  I 
trust  in  him,  I  will  not  de{5art  mine  integrity  :  though 
men  should  heave  us  over  tiie  walls  of  this  world  as  use- 
less members  of  society,  as  mere  rubbisli  ;  though  the)' 
should  kill  us,  yet  we  trust,  we  have  that  within  us,  which 
can  never  die  ;  our  bodies  shall  be  raised  up  in  tiie  last 
day,  and  our  names  shall  be  written  on  tiiat  chief  white 
corner  stone  which  the  builders  in  this  world  did  refuse 
— on  which  will  be  a  new  name  written,  which  none  can 
read,  except  those  who  have  learnt. 

Eut,  my  brethren,  while  we  are  in  the  world,  we  must 
use  the  world,  and  the  things  of  the  world,  as  not  abus- 
ing them  ;  as  we  pass    by,  wo   must    commit    to  faithful 
men,  those  who  have  been  tried  and  found  trusty,  worthy 
and  well  qualified  ;  those  useful  ordinances  and  instruc- 
tions, which  God   has  given   for  the  good  of  his    people. 
We  must  all  be  fellow-laborers   in  the  vineyard  of  our 
God  ;  we  must  work  and  labor  v/hile  it  is  called  to-day, 
and  be  contented  with  our  wages  ;  or  else,  mark  well 
what  I  say  !  mark  well,   my  brethren,       we   may    loose 
our  reward,  just  in  the  very  moment  when  we  expect  to 
receive  it  ;  for  there  is  a  time  coming  ivhen  all  imposters, 
hypocrites  and  deceivers  shall  be  detected  and  brought  to 
light.     It   will    then  be,    that    not  every    one  that  saith 
Lord,  Lord,  shall   enter   into  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  ; 
but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  my  father  who  is  in   Heav- 
en ;  so  that  in  the  great   work  of  charity,   we   must   al- 
ways be  ready  and  willing  to  step  a  foot  out  of  our  way  to 
help  a  brother,  to  bend  a  knee  in  pruver  to  God  for  him, 
to  have  a  breast  to  feel  for  his  woes  and  to  keep  his    se- 
crets, to  lend  him  a  hand  to  support  him  in  all  his    right- 
eous undertakings,    or  else    to  warn  hiiu  of  his  dau.'^er 
and  help  him  out  of  difiiculty,  and  to  have  an  ear  to  hear 
his  complaints. 

These  are  some  of  the  great  duties  of  human  life, these 
are  some  of  that  most  excellent  workmanship,  which 
even  the  queen  of  Slieba  might  admire,  and  exclaim  as 
she  did  when  she  saw  them',  and  unless  we  will  comply 
with  them,  this  may  be  the  condemnation,  that  light  has 


178  MEMOIRS. 

come  into  the  woild,  and  we  have  loved  darkness  rather 
■tkan  lii^ht  ;  (hat  though  we  Iiave  been  the  children  of 
light,  yet  we  have  not  walked  as  such.  Then,  when  the 
great  and  dreadful  day  shall  come,  when  the  high  arch 
of  Heaven  shall  be  disclosed,  when  God  himself  shall 
speak  in  thunder  from  Mount  Sinai,  and  the  earth  shall 
shake  terribly  ;  when  the  bush  shall  burn  with  fire,  and 
the  lightning  shall  flash  from  one  side  of  Heaven  to  the 
other,  and  the  thunder  of  God  shall  roll  and  roar,  and 
the  whole  earth  shall  be  summoned  to  stand  before  the 
grand  Council  of  Heaven  ;  we  not  having  holiness  to 
the  Lord,  either  engraven  in  our  hearts,  or  v.ritten  on 
our  foreheads,  the  most  excellent  King  will  sit  in  judg- 
ment against  us,  the  great  High  Priest  of  our  profes- 
sion will  cast  us  out,  and  consign  us  to  the  lower  vaults 
of  the  earth  ;  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Grand  Scribe 
of  HEAVEN,  will  record  that  the  will  of  God  is 
done. 

But  on  the  other  side,  if  we  will  give  ourselves  up  to 
the  guidance  and  direction  of  God's  ever  blessed  spirit, 
which  wef  houldahviys  pray  for  and  seek  for  ;  if  we  will 
walk  by  the  lights  given  to  us.;  if  we  will  bear  in  mind 
the  jewels  and  badges  of  our  order  ;  if  we  will  mind  and 
regulate  ourselves  by  the  plum  line,  the  square,  the 
compass,  the  level,  the  gavel,  the  trowel,  Sec.  Judah 
and  Benjamin  may  assault  us,  venomous  beasts  may  fall 
upon  us,  but  they  cannot  hurt  us  ;  if  we  will  walk  by 
the  important  lights  of  our  order,  we  may  find  an  en- 
campment of  saints  in  light.  The  road  may  be  long;  the 
patli  may  be  hard  and  rugged;  we.  maybe  beset  by  Jews, 
Turks  and  infidels,  yet  if  we  fight  manfully  the  christian 
warfare, we  shall  come  offconquerors,  and  more  than  con- 
querors, our  lights  never  shall  be  extinguished;  but  in  the 
peaceful  encampment  of  Sir  Kt.  Templar  and  Saints 
above, we  shall  drink  new  wine,  in  that  precious  cup,  made 
without  hands;  we  shall  find  tbe  Rock  of  Ages,  Him  who 
IS  the  hope  of  all  the  ends  of  the  earth.  Then  in  the 
blissful  presence  of  God,  we  shall  see  the  four  and  twen- 
ty elders,  consisting  of  twelve  Patriarchs  and  twelve 
Aoostles,  all  falling  down  and   worshipping   before   the 


MEMOIRS. 

throne   of  God,  and  their  lights  shining   forth  for    ever 
and  ever,  as  the  stars  in  the  firmanent  of  Heaven  ! 

Without  pursuing  the  subject  further  at  present,  let 
us  all  bo  reminded  of  our  high  and  mighty  vocations,  as 
Christians  and  as  Masons,  wherewith  we  arc  called  !  0 
how  careful  ought  we  all  to  be,  to  adorn  in  all  things  the 
doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  ;  to  knock  off  every  turbu- 
lent passion,  and  every  rough  corner  of  our  hearts  ;  to 
curb  every  unholy  desire,  every  licentious  thought,  and 
to  square  all  our  thoughts,  words  and  actions,  by  the 
great  light  of  God's  word,  which,  as  Masons  and  as 
Christians,  should  ever  be  open  before  us.  O,  let  us  re- 
member at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  our  jewels,  our 
badges,  our  obligations,  and  encourage  in  all  our  hearts 
and  lives,  all  the  workings  of  that  divine  sympathy,  which 
gives  to  humanity  so  many  charms.  What  can  produce 
more  real,  substantial  bliss,  than  the  influence  of  that 
charity  which  as  Christians  and  as  Masons  we  are  bound 
to  encourage  ;  a  consciousness  of  soothing  the  discon- 
solate, befriending  the  destitute,  assisting  the  fatherless 
and  the  widows,  relieving  oppressed  vn-tue  from  contempt, 
disburdening  the  overcharged  heart  of  its  sorrows,  wip- 
ing, with  a  leni  ent  hand,  the  cold  sweat  from  the  brow 
of  afRiction  in  every  species  of  human  distress — blessed 
God,  what  a  noble  employment,  happy,  yea,  thrice  hap- 
py are  you  my  brethren,  who  know  by  experience  that  a 
series  of  generous  actions  is  a  source  of  the  most  sub- 
lime happiness  and  satisfaction  that  can  be  felt  on  this 
side  of  Heaven  !  Yes,  the  blessings  of  those  who  are 
ready  to  perish,  shall  forever  rest  upon  your  heads  ;  and 
their  daily  wishes  and  prayers  in  your  behalf,  shall  as- 
cend, like  a  fragrant  column  of  incense  before  the 
throne  of  God,  and  meet  with  an  honorable  acceptance 
with  him.  And  is  masonry  a  fraternity  to  encourage,  to 
promote  and  to  heighten  every  social  grace  and  every 
Christian  virtue  ?  is  it  a  society  to  draw  nearer,  and  still 
nearer  the  cords  of  affection  ?  is  it  an  institution  calcu- 
lated to  befriend  the  poor,  to  espouse  the  cause  of  injur- 
ed innocence,  to  repel  the  shafts  of  slander,  to  reinstate 
the  insulted  dignity,  to  receive  into. the  arms  of  love  ana 
affection  every  v/orthy,  persecuted,  injured  brother,  ana 


ISO  MEMOIRS. 

to  relieve  the  wants  of  the  needj !  Hail  it  then  !  O,  hail 
it,  blessed  of  the  Lord.  I  congratulate  m3'se!f,  I  congrat- 
ulate you,  I  con^rati'Jate  the  whole  world  on  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  societ  V,  not  above,  but  next  to  the  religion 
of  Heaven,  the  most  ancient,  the  most  honorable,  the 
most  useful,  the  most  loving,  and  by  those  who  are  most 
acquainted  with  it,  the  most  beloved  among  the  children 
of  men. 

But  while  we  are  thus  congratulating  ourselves,  let  us 
remember  thai  it  is  appointed  unto  all  men,  once  to  die. 
Our  fathers  and  the  phrophets,  where  are  they  ?  Let  us 
ever  remember  and  pay  the  tribute  of  respect  to  the 
virtues  of  our  departed  brethren  who  have  gone  before 
us.  Where  is  Washington,  Warren,  and  Montgomery  ? 
where  is  Franklin,  Jefferson,  and  Clinton,  ?  those  ever 
respected  friends  and  patrons  of  our  order  !  And  O,  how 
many  dear  brethren,  whose  charming  company  graced 
our  social  circles,  have  departed  this  life,  since  I  first 
had  the  honor  of  being  a  mason  .''  My  Lord  and  my 
God  !  do  their  lights  no  longer  shine  among  us  ?  is  their 
glass  oat  ?  has  the  scythe  of  time  cut  them  down  ?  has 
the  level  evened  them  with  the  ground  ?  and  is  there  no 
brother's  widow,  or  orphan  children,  looking  to  us  for 
consolation,  to  v/hom  we  can  extend  the  hand  of  charity 
and  friendship  ?  into  whose  bleeding  wounds  we  can 
pour  the  wine  and  oil  of  comfort,  while  v/e  forget  not  the 
corn  of  relief  ?  Remember  that  we  ourselves  must  also 
soon  die  ;  the  scythe  will  cut  us  down,  the  level  will 
even  us  with  the  ground,  and  v/e  must  leave  our  families 
and  friends  to  those  who  shall  come  after  us  5  we  shall 
be  taken  from  our  beloved  fraternity,  and  from  society. 
How  solemn  !  how  awful  !  how  interesting  is  the  event 
to  which  I  turn  your  attention  !  Does  it  remind  us  that 
there  is  neither  age  nor  station  that  can  free  us  from  the 
unwelcome  approach  of  death  .''  Die  we  all  must  ;  it  is 
the  last  debt  of  nature.  Lettis  then  all  be  prepared  for 
that  which  we  know  to  be  so  inevitably  certain.  May 
we  ever  be  mindful  of  the  All-seeing  Eye  of  God. 
May  we  keep  our  hands  clean  and  our  hearts  pure. 
May  the  jewels  and  badges  of  our  order  never  be 
tarnished.      And,   may  we,  my  brethren,  being   wash- 


MEMOIRS.  MI 

•d  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  be  presented  pure  and  spot- 
Jess  before  the  throne  of  God. — Amen.     So  mote  it  be. 


The  Rev.  AMMI  ROGERS,  a.  m.  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Rogers,  ef 
Br.itiford,  in  Connecticut,  who  was  the  son  of  Josiah  Rogers,  of  said  Bran- 
ford,  who  was  the  son  of  Josiah  Rogers,  of  Huntington,  on  Long  Island,  in 
the  state  of  New  York,  who  was  the  son  of  John  Rogers,  of  Dedham, in  Eng- 
land, who  was  the  son  of  Noah  Rogers,  of  Exeter,  in  England,  who  was  the 
son  of  John  Rogers,  a  clergyman  of  the  church  of  England,  minister  of  St. 
Paul's  church  in  London,  burnt  by  the  Roman  Catholics  in  Smithfield,  in 
England,  on  the  14th  day  of  February,  1354,  old  style,  The  aforesaid  Rev. 
John  Rogers  was  the  first  martyr  in  the  reign  of  queen  Mary,  in  England. 
He  was  a  man  of  great  piety,  learning,  and  of  an  unblemished  character,'ex- 
cept  by  the  Roman  Catholics.  Hewasone  of  those  who  translated  the  Ho- 
ly Scriptures ;  and  was  very  instrumental  in  distributing  the  Bible  among 
common  people,  in  their  own  language  ;  he  was  ordained  and  promoted  by 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Ridley,  in  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Sixth  ;  was  not 
only  pious,  learned  and  e.templary,  but  was  very  eloquent— said  to  have 
been  one  of  the  best  mmisters  in  England. 

He  honestly  and  sincerely  believed  the  Pope  of  Rome  to  be  Anti-Christ, 
and  that  submission  to  him  would  be  rebellion  against  God.  He  preached 
against  their  making  graven  images  and  bowing  down  to  them  or  before 
them;  against  purgatory  :  against  their  pretending  to  forgive  sins,  and  giv- 
ing indulgencies  tosm;  against  their  forbidding  their  priests  to  marry;  a- 
gainst  transubstantiation  ;  against  the  infallibility  of  the  Pope,  «tc. 

For  these  sentiments,  he  was  summoned  before  the  ^Popish  Council,  bat 
defended  himself  in  so  masterly  a  manner,  that  he  was  dismissed.  He  was 
then  summoned  to  appear  before  the  Popish  Counsil  the  second  time  ;  aad 
history  informs  us,  that  such  was  the  respect  universally  felt  for  Mr.  Rogers 
that  h«  was  dismissed  the  second  time,  but  commanded  not  to  go  out  of  hi* 
©wn  house.  He  was  summoned  the  third  time  before  the  said  council,  by 
the  infamous  Roman  Catholic  Bishop  Bonner,  when  he  freely  confessed  hie 
belief  in  the  Protestant  Religion,  and  his  utter  abhorrence  of  Popery,  and 
made  a  mist  elaborate  and  b.'ilJiant  defence. 

But  his  destruction  was  determined  upon.  Bonner  procured  an  order  for 
b-im  to  be  burnt  at  the  stake  for  opposing  popery  ;  and  on  the  14th  day  of 
February,  1554,  he  was  brought  out  of  prison  by  the  sheriff,  and  led  to  the 
st*ke  in  Smithfield,  in  England ;  his  wife  and  ten  children  followed  hiiu,  but 
he  was  not  permitted  to  speak  to  them,  but  gave  them  some  verses  which 
)m  composed  and  wrote  in  prison,  only  a  few  days  before  he  was  burnt.  At 
the  stake,  the  sherilF  asked  him  '  if  he  would  recant,  and  save  his  life  ? ' 
'  No,'  said  he  ;  '  what  I  have  preached  I  beheved,  and  shall  seal  it  with  rty 
ife  at  the  stake.'    And  so  he  did ! 

But  in  the  case  of  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers,  he  has  never  been  summenei 
l)fefore  any  ecclesiastical  council  or  tribunal ;  no  one  has  ever  corns  to  t«U 
ktm  of  his  error,  if  he  had  any  ;  he  has  never  been  permitted  to  know  his 
aecusors,  if  be  had  aBy  ;  he  has  never  been  permitted  to  make  his  defeae*; 
lie  kas  never  had  the  offer  of  repentance,  nor  f&rgiveness:  and  yet,  how 
■Cvah  has  he  been  persecuted  !  how  much  has  he  been  insulted  tni  akHst4 
itj  ifawe  Bunlstera  wiio  were  not  half  «•  geod  as  h«  was  '■  ■ 


132  RELIGION. 

.3  SERMON  O.Y  MAURMGE. 

Genesis  ^d  Chapter,  IStli  verse. 
And  the  Lord  God  said  it  is  not  (rood  that  man  should 
be  alone,  I  will  make  him  an  help  meet  for  him. 
Beloi'cd  Fellow  Clirislians. — 
In  the  beginning  God  created  all  things  by    the    word 
of  his  power.    The  stupendous  fabric  of  the  universe  was 
reared  out  of  nothing,  and  the  mighty  work  of  creation 
was  finished  :   But  in  the  great  plan  there  was  one  defi- 
ciency.    For  Adam  there  was  not  found  an    help    meet 
^for  him.     The  earth  with  all  its  beauty,  with  all  its  gran- 
deur, and  with  all  its  productions  ;  the  heavens  with    all 
their  glories  and  with  all  their   influences  ministered   to 
the  service   and  to  the    pleasure    of  man  ;  but   all   this 
availed  but  little,  while  there  was  no  creature  of  his  own 
species  to  v>hom    he   could   communicate    his   thoughts, 
and  with  whom  he  could  share  his  happiness.     This    de- 
fect was  quickly  perceived  and  instantly  supplied  by  the 
gracious  Creator  of  the  world  and  of  our  first    Parents. 
And  the  Lord  God  said,   that  it  is    not    good   that    man 
should  be  alone  ;  I  will   make    an   help    meet    for   him. 
And  the  Lord  God  caused  a  deep  sleep  to  fall  upon  Ad- 
am and  he  slept  :  and  he  took  one  of  his  ribs,  and  closed 
up  the  flesh   instead    thereof :  and   the   rib    which    the 
Lord  God  had  taken  from  man,   made    he  a  woman  and 
brought  her  to  the  man.     And  Adam  said,   this    is    now 
bone  of  my  bones  and  flesh  of  my  flesh  :  she   shall   be 
called     woman   because    she    was  taken   out   of   man. 
Therefore  shall  a  man  leave  his  father  and    his   mother, 
and  shall  cleave  unto  his  wife,  and  they  two  shall  be  one 
fiesh. 

From  this  I  infer  that  the  single  man  is  only  partially 
blessed  at  best,  and  that  he  who  findeth  a  good  wife  find- 
eth  a  good  thing  and  shall  find  favor  of  the  Lord.  I  say 
a  good  wife,  such  as  Eve  was  when  God  brought  her 
to  Adara  ;  and  such  a  wife  as  one  of  her  amiable  daugh- 
ters now  is,  who  is  renewed  by  the  grace  and  adorned 
by  the  virtues  of  the  glorious  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 
To  represent  to  you   some  of  the   advantages   which   a 


RELIGION.  IM 

man  derives  from  a  virtuous  and  good  wife  ;  and  to  sug- 
gest some  practical  hints,  for  the  regulation  of  the  con" 
duct  of  the  single  and  married  of  both  sexes  in  relation 
to  marriage,  shall  be  the  subject  of  this  discourse.  O, 
Almighty  and  Eternal  God,  I  beseech  thee  to  illumi- 
nate my  understanding,  to  guard  me  from  all  error,  to 
lead  me  into  all  truth,  to  enable  me  to  say  something 
from  the  words  of  my  text  to  thy  honor  and  for  the  ben- 
efit of  tliy  people. 

1st,  then  I  say  a  good  wife  will  help  to  educate 
your  children,  2d,  she  will  improve  and  increase  your 
estate,  3d,  she  will  augment  all  your  joys,  4th,  she  will 
alleviate  all  your  sorrows,  and  5th,  she  will  help  to  se- 
cure your  eternal  salvation. 

First,  a  good  wife  will  help  to  educate  your  children, 
and  education  on  the  part  of  the  mother  commences 
from  the  very  moment  that  she  has  a  prospect  of  being 
a  mother  ;  and  the  care  of  her  own  health  is  the  first 
duty  which  she  owes  to  her  child  ;  and  on  this  prospect 
how  greatly  is  her  value  enhanced  !  Her  existence  is 
multiplied,  her  duration  is  extended — a  man  child  is  at 
length  born  into  the  world — and  what  helper  so  meet, 
for  the  glad  father,  in  rearing  the  tender  babe  as  the 
mother  who  bare  him  .•'  there  are  offices  which  she,  and 
only  she,  can  perform:  there  are  aflections  which  she,  and 
only  she,  can  feel  ;  and  there  are  dilficulties  which  she, 
and  only  she,  can  surmount.  The  dawning  of  reason 
appears;  the  solicitude  of  a  father  awakes;  what  a  task  is 
imposed  upon  him  !  but  he  is  not  left  to  perform  it 
alone.  The  Lord  God  has  provided  Iiim  an  help  meet 
for  him,  one  prompted  by  duty,  one  drawn  by  alfectiori, 
one  trained  by  experience  to  assist  him  in  the — 

"  DelighMul  task  to  rear  the  tender  tliouglit, 
"  To  teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot, 

"  To  pour  the  fre:ih  instruction  o'er  the  luiii*!, 
♦'  To  breathe  the  enlivening  spirit,  and  to  (ix 

"  The  generous  purpone  in  the  glowing  breast.', 

In  the  more  advanced  stages  of  education,  after  the 
pupil  is  removed  from  under  the  maternal  wing,  of  what 
assistance  to  the  father^  of  what  importance  to  the  child, 
are  the  delicate  ideas,  the  tender  counsels  of  a  wise  and 


184  RELIGION. 

virtuous  woman  !  i,^  is  to  be  hoped  that  a  child  trained 
up  in  the  v/ay  in  which  he  should  go,  by  a  tender  moth- 
er, will  never  depart  from  it.  But  fchould  the  impulse  of 
youthful  passion  lead  him  astray  from  the  holy  command- 
ment, what  means  would  be  so  likely  to  reclaim  him  as 
the  recollection  of  a  mother's  feelings,  and  the  consid- 
eration of  her  pious  lessons  ! 

8u  the  education  of  her  own  sex,  the  mother  seems 
to  be  more  than  a  help  meet  for  man.  The  trust  chiefly, 
if  not  entirely  devolves  upon  her,  and  where  could  it  be 
disposed  of  so  well?  The  knowledge  whicli  she  has  of 
herself,  her  experience  of  the  world,  and  her  maternal 
affections  are  al!  that  she  needs  to  qualify  her  for  this 
arduous  undertaking.  A  mother  only  can  enter  into  the 
feelings,  the  weaknesses  and  the  necessities  of  a  young 
female,  just  entering  on  an  unknown,  a  varying,  a  tem- 
pestuous and  dangerous  ocean  of  human  life,  lor  she  re- 
members how  she  herself  felt  and  feared, what  she  needed, 
how  she  was  relieved,  assisted  and  carried  through  ; 
and  to  a  mother  only  can  a  young  female  impart  the 
numberless,  nameless  anxieties  which  every  step  she 
takes  in  life  must  necessarily  excite.  When  she  con- 
verses with  her  mother  she  only  thinks  aloud.  The  gooa 
conduct  of  a  mother  is  one  of  the  loveliest  patterns  of 
virtue,  and  the  hope  of  a  mother's  applause  is,  next  to 
God's  approbation,  the  most  powerful  motive  to  imitate  it. 
The  superiority  of  female  to  male  youth  in  respect  of 
morals  is  clearly  deducible  from  the  larger  share  v/hich 
the  mother  has  in  their  common  education.  Behold 
then  how  much  help  man  derives  from  a  good  wii'e  in 
the  education  of  their  common  offspring  !  and  what  pity 
then  is  it  that,  without  great  necessity,  it  Suould  ever  he 
consigned  to  less  skilful,  less  affectionate  and  less  suc- 
cessful hands  ! 

2d.  A  good  wife  will  help  to  improve  and  increase 
your  estate.  JVo  man  ever  prospered  much  in  the  v/orld 
without  the  consent  and  co-operation  of  his  wife;  let  him 
be  never  so  frugal,  never  so  regular,  so  industrious,  so 
successful,  so  intelligent  :  all  goes  for  nothing  if  -his 
wife  is  profuse,  disorderly,    indolent^  or  unfaithful  to  her 


RELIGION.  ni 

trust.     By  much  «lothfulness  the  building  decayeth,  and 
through  idleness  of  the  hands  the  house  droppeth  through. 
But  O,  how  good  a  thing  it  is,  and  how   pleasant,   when 
the  gracious  intentions  of  God  and  of  nature  are   fulfil- 
led ;  with  what  spirit  and  perseverance  will  a  man  labor 
n  hig   vocation  when  he  knows  that  his  earnings  will  be 
faithfully  disposed  of  and  carefully  improved  :  with  what 
confidence  does  he  resort  to  his  study,  to   his   trade,   to 
his  farm,  to  his  merchandize;  he  will  fly  over  the   land, 
and  over  the  sea,    he   will  meet  difficulty  and  danger,  if 
he  has  an  assurance  that  he  is  not  spending  his  time  and 
strength  in  vain:  that  all  is  well  and  safe  at  home  :  that 
indulgent  heaven  has  crowned  all  his  other  blessings  with 
an  help  meet  for  him,  a  discreet  manager   of  his   estate, 
a  fellow  laborer  with  him  from  a  sense  of  duty,   from  in- 
terest and  affection.      This  is  the  portrait  of  a  good  wife 
drawn  by  the  inspiration  of  God  in  31st  chapter    of  Pro- 
verbs which  I   sincerely   recommend  to   be    attentively 
read  by  each  female  in  my  parish,  and   in   the  world,  at 
least  once  in  every   week,  and  may   heaven   bless   you, 
my  fair  hearers  in  the  resemblance. 

3d.  A  good  wife  will  augment  all  your  joys.   The  Her- 
mit, the  solitary,  the  single  man  is  only  half  blest  at  best. 

"JN'atuie  ill  zeal  for  human  amity 

"  Denies  or  damps  all  undivided  jojs. 

"  Joy  flies  monopolists  :  it  calls  for  two, 

"  Kicli  fruit  !  Heaven  planted;  never  pltickM  by  ono, 

"  Needful  auxiliaries  are  o;;r  wives  to  give 

"  To  social  man  true  relish  of  himself," 

or  of  any  thing  else  in  the  Universe.  Alone,  man  feels  a 
double  weight  in  all  his  afllictions  vvhilc  he  only  half  enjoys 
the  blessings  of  life.  To  enjoy  tlie  comforts  of  life  with 
a  full  relish,  man  must  have  a  companion,  he  must  have 
a  friend,  he  must  he.  married,  he  must  have  a  vvife  ;  her 
company,  her  conversation,  her  affection,  will  add  flavor 
to  the  most  delicious  viands  ;  improve  the  beauty  of  the 
most  delightful  prospects  ;  give  vivacity  to  the  social 
circle  ;  tranquility  to  solitude  ;  musio  to  groves  ;  IVa- 
grance  to  flowers  ;  brightness  to  the  firmament  ;  and 
Ijplendor  to  the  sun  !  social  happiness  ;  true  and  essen- 
tial social  happiness  resides  only  in  the  bosom  of  love 
16* 


im  RELIGION. 

and  in  the  arms  of  friendship.  Affectionate  intercourse 
produces  an  inexhaustable  fund  of  delight;  it  is  the  per- 
ennial sunshine  of  the  soul.  With  what  anxiety  then 
should  we  endeavor  to  find  an  amiable  being  with  whom 
we  may  form  a  tender  tie,  a  close  attachment,  who  may 
inspire  us  with  unfading  bliss  and  receive  an  increase  of 
happiness  from  our  endearments  and  attention  !  O  how 
greatly  do  such  connections  increase  the  kind  and  benev- 
olent affections  of  the  human  heart!  how  greatly  do  such 
dispositions,  while  they  lead  the  mind  to  the  enjoyment 
of  domestic  happiness,  awaken  all  the  virtues,  and  call 
forth  all  the  best  and  strongest  energies  of  the  mind. 
Deprived  of  the  chaste  and  endearing  sympathies  of  Love, 
the  species  would  sink  into  gross  sensuality  or  mute  in- 
difference, they  would  neglect  the  improvement  of  their 
faculties  and  renounce  all  anxiety  t  >  please.  But  inci- 
ted by  love,  the  sexes  cultivate  their  faculties,  every  in- 
tellectual energy  i;s  called  into  action  :  and  by  endeav- 
oring to  promote  the  happiness  of  others,  they  secure 
their  own. 

4th,  A  good  wife  will  help  to  alleviate  all  your 
afflictions.  It  is  pleasant  to  have  a  companion  in 
solitude,  an  assistant  in  labor,  a  fellow  partner  in  joy  : 
but  human  life  contains  varieties,  painful  as  well  as  plea- 
sant— sorrow,  pain,  solicitude,  and  disappointment 
enter  into  the  history  of  man  ;  and  he  is  but  half  provi- 
ded for  the  voyage  of  life  who  has  found  an  associate 
for  his  happier  days  only,  while  for  his  days  of 
darkness  and  distress,  no  sympathizing  partner, 
no  help  meet  is  prepared.  But  the  provident  care 
of  the  Almighty  meets  every  lawful  wish,  every  real 
want  of  man  :  and  in  bestowing  on  him  a  com- 
panion for  his  youth,  a  sharer  in  his  felicity,  a  partner 
in  his  property,  heaven  was  securing  for  him,  at  a  dis- 
tance, a  friend  in  old  age,  a  solace  in  affliction,  a  part- 
ner in  want,  a  friend  that  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother. 
Is  the  Husband  persecuted  ?  does  he  incur  censure 
where  he  hoped  for  applause  ?  does  he  provoke  op- 
position, where  he  hoped  for  co-operation  ?  is  his  good, 
«vil  spoken  of  ?  does  envy  shoot  at  him  her  fiery  darts  ? 


RELIGION/  laV 

^oes  calumny  spread  over  him  her  monster  figured  man- 
tle, does  slander  raise  aloud  her  opprobrious  voice,  and 
malice  scar  him  \vith  her  insidious  bolts  ?  where  shall 
he  fly  for  an  asylum  ?  to  whom  shall  he  repair  for  re- 
pose ?  let  him  retire  to  the  sanctuary  of  his  own  dwel- 
ling, let  him  flee  to  the  bosom  of  his  own  wife  :  and 
though  the  whole  world  should  be  shut  against  him,  she 
will  receive  him  with  open  arms  :  though  the  whole 
world  should  frown  upon  him,  she  will  receive  him  with 
a  smile.  With  affectionate  assiduity  she  will  remove  ev- 
ery object  from  his  eye,  every  sound  from  his  ear,  every 
impression  from  his  memory  which  is  calculated  to  in- 
crease the  painful  sensibilities  of  his  heart.  She  will 
strive  by  her  conversation  to  divert,  by  her  smiles  to 
ciieer,  and  by  her  caresses  to  soothe  him.  She  will  re- 
mind him  of  the  Father  of  mercies  and  the  God  of  all 
consolation  :  by  her  influence  she  will  draw  him  to  the 
throne  of  divine  grace  :  if  he  cannot  pray  for  the  an- 
guish of  his  spirit,  she  will  pray  for  him  ;  and  having 
found  mercy  for  what  is  past  and  obtained  grace  to  help 
in  time  of  need,  he  will  be  able  to  rejoice  in  persecution 
for  righteousness  sake,  knowing  that  great  will  be  his  re- 
ward in  Heaven. 

Is  he  afflicted  in  body  !  is  he  wasting  with  pining 
sickness,  or  groaning  under  excruciating  pain?  his  affec- 
tionate partner  will  attend  him  in  the  double  capacity  of 
nurse  and  physician — with  what  patience  will  she  sit  by 
him  from  evening  to  morning  !  with  what  sympathy  will 
she  endeavour  to  alleviate  the  acuteness  of  liis  pain  ! 
with  what  tenderness  will  she  strive  to  sooth  him  to 
beneficial  repose  !  how  easy  the  bed  which  she  soft;ens, 
how  reviving  the  cordial  which  she  mingles  !  how  po- 
tent the  medicine  which  she  administers  !  and  oh,  how 
sweet  the  return  of  health  after  sickness  when  the  help- 
meet for  him  has  been  the  means  of  its  restoration. 

5th.  A  good  wife  will  help  to  secure  your  eternal  salva- 
tion. Is  the  husband  walking  in  the  way  of  righteousness, 
Alas  !  in  the  world  he  will  meet  with  many  temptations 
to  depart  from  it,  from  which  she,  as  a  woman,  is  exemp- 
ted, she  can  spend  more  hours  in  converse  with  Heaven 
and  with  God  while  he  is  obliged  to  attend  to  the  earthly 


Iffl  RELIGTON, 

ease*  of  his  farm,  his  merchandize,  or  his   trade.     But 
her  exemptions  and  her  advantages  will  serve  the   better 
to  qualify  her  to  become  the  help  rtieet    for  her  husband 
in  the  important   interests   of  his   soul  and   of  eternity. 
Her  deep  and  undisturbed  communion  with  God   will  be 
improved  in  his  behalf :  the  fruit  of  her  retirement   and 
leisure,  her  reading  and  reflection  will  be  modestly    ap- 
plied to  the  important  purposes  of  directing  him  in    per- 
plexity and  succouring  him  in  temptation.     Is  he  unhap- 
pily led  astray  from  the  path  of  rectitude,  the  steady   in- 
fluence  of  her  mild,    gentle  unostentatious  piety,  like  a 
friendly  angel  will  beckon  him  to  return    to  the  way   of 
peace  and     ral   pleasure  ;  and    will   probably    prevail 
when  ail  other  means  have  lost  their  effect.    The  inspira- 
tion of  ^od  says — ye   wives   be  in   subjection   to   your 
own  husbands,  that  if  any  obey  not  the  word,   they  al^o 
may  without  the  word,  be  won   by   the   conversation    of 
the  wives,  while  they  behold  your  chaste    conversation 
coupled  with  fear.     Does   the    Husband    embrace    and 
hold  fast  the  blessed  hope  of    everlasting  life  !  this  hope 
will  be  greatly  enhanced  by  the  animating  prospect  of 
enjoying  it  forever  in  her  company,  his  piety  will  become 
more  ardent  by  being  social,  they  will  take   sweet  coun- 
sel  and  go  to  the  house  of  God  together   in   love,    they 
will  lift  up  their  hearts  and   their  voices  together    in   the 
prayers  and  praises  of  the  church,  they  will  dwell  togeth- 
er as  heirs  of  the  grace  of  life,   that  their   prayers    may 
not  be  hindered,  and  whatsoever  they  agree  to  ask   con- 
cerning the  salvation  of  their  souls  it   shall   be    granted 
them  by  their  common  Father   who   is  in  Heaven.     In 
these  respects  and  in  many  more  which  might  be  mention- 
ed, a  good  wife  is  really  a  help  meet    for    her   husband, 
she  is  a  great  blessing  to  him. 

I  proceed  now,  as  was  proposed,  to  suggest  a  few 
practical  hints  to  the  single  and  married  of  both  sexes  in 
relation  to  marriage.  And  first.  This  subject  simply  but 
very  clearly  unfolds  the  nature  of  woman,  her  station, 
her  duty,  her  use,  and  the  end  for  which  she  was  made. 
It  raises  her  to  her  proper  rank  and  importance,  and  in- 
structs her  how  most  effectually  to  support  them.  It 
forbids  her  to  aspire  after  rule  :  it  secrres  for  her   affec- 


RELIGION.  186 

tion  and  respect,  for  how  is  it  possible  for  us  to  hate  and 
despise  that  which  God  and  nature  have  made  so  essen- 
tial to  our  happiness,  f  If  the  intention  of  the  Creator 
be  attended  to,  the  respective  claims  and  duties  of  the 
sexes  will  be  settled  in  a  single  moment,  and  an  end 
will  be  forever  made  to  all  unprofitable  discussions  of 
superiority  and  inferiority,  of  authority  and  subjection  in 
those  whose  destination  and  duty  it  is  to  be  mutually 
helpful,  attentive  and  atfcctionate.  For  only  observe 
and  remember  and  consider  that  woman  was  made  of  the 
rib  of  man — she  was  not  taken  out  of  his  head  to  rule 
over  him,  she  was  not  taken  out  of  his  feet  to  be  tram- 
pled under  foot  by  him  ;  but  she  was  taken  from  his  side 
to  be  his  equal,  tVom  near  his  heart  to  be  beloved  by  him, 
and  from  under  his  arm,  to  be  protected  by  him  ;  and 
for  this  reason  the  Episcopal  Church  directs  that  in  mar- 
riage the  man  shall  always  stand  on  the  right  hand  and 
the  woman  on  the  left  hand  and  it  is  very  reasonable  and 
proper,  that  whenever  a  man  and  woman,  but  especially  a 
husband  and  wife  appear  together,  or  walk  together, 
that  the  man  should  take  the  woman  under  his  left  arm 
as  the  nearest  and  dearest  object  of  all  his  earthly  affec- 
tions, and  that  his  right  arm  should  be  at  liberty  Ito  guard- 
her,  to  support  her,  to  defend  her,  and  to  protect 
her. 

2d.  Young  women,  this  subject  speaks  to  you,  you 
see  what  is  your  earthly  destination;  it  is  to  be  helpmeets 
for  man,  keep  this  object  steadily  in  view,  let  it  direct 
you  from  your  earliest  days  of  reason,  in  the  employment 
of  your  time,  in  the  cultivation  of  your  talents,  in  the 
improvement  of  your  hearts,  and  in  the  formation  of 
your  manners — let  it  influence  you  in  regard  to  the  books 
you  read,  the  principles  you  imbibe,  the  models  you  imi- 
tate, that  by  the  grace  of  God  you  may  quality  your- 
selves to  be  helpmeets  for  those  who  shall  be  your  hus- 
bands— able  to  train  up  their  children  in  the  way  they 
should  go — to  share  their  prosperity  v/ith  moderation — 
to  alleviate  their  afliictions  by  sympathetic  tenderness — 
to  improve  their  temporal  interestsby  your  wisdom  and 
your  care — ^and  to  promote  their  eternal  salvation  by 
jour  example  and  prayers.     Ever  keep  inniind,  my  fair 


199  RELIGION. 

young  hearers  that  the  proper  and  peculiar  sphere  of 
good  women  and  good  wives  is  the  retired  vale  of  domes- 
tic life, study  to  excel  then  rather  in  the  useful,than  in  the 
ornamental  qualities  of  the  female  character.  Remem- 
ber now  your  Creator  in  the  days  of  your  youth,  and  as 
the  only  basis  of  real,  uniform,  persevering,  personal 
and  relative  virtue  and  happiness,  endeavor  to  have  your 
hearts  established  with  grace  in  a  reasonable  religion. 

3d.  Young  men,  this  subject  speaks  to  you.  Mar- 
riage is  honorable  in  all  and  the  bed  undefiled,  but  whore- 
mongers and  adulterers  God  will  judge  !  say  not  that  it 
Is  good  for  a  man  to  be  alone  !  the  Lord  God  says  it  is 
not,  and  who  art  thou  that  replieth  against  God.  The 
practice  of  celibacy  is  one  of  the  crying  sins  of  our  age 
and  of  our  country,  and  is  equally  unfriendly  to  religion, 
uniViendiy  to  good  morals,  unfriendly  to  public  spirit,  and 
unfriendly  to  human  comfort.  Ho  who  says  or  lives  as 
if  he  thought  it  were  good  for  man  to  be  alone  gives  the 
lie  to  his  maker,  he  sins  against  the  constitution  of  na- 
ture, dishonors  his  parents,  defrauds  another  of  one  of 
the  justest  rights  of  humanity,  and  that  too  in  a  case 
where  she  cannot  complain — and  he  exposes  himself  to 
commit  crimes  which  I  should  be  ashamed  to  mention.  ' 
But  in  making  choice  of  a  partner  for  life  :  what  need 
is  there  of  prudence,  of  advice  of  your  best  friends  and 
particularly  of  your  parents  and  the  direction  of  Pleaven. 
In  taking  to  yourselves  wives,  you  are  forming  a  con- 
nexion which  nothing  but  death  can  honorably  dissolve, 
you  are  entailing  on  yourselves  the  worst,  the  greatest 
earthly  curse,  or  receiving  the  best,  the  sweetest,  the 
richest  temporal  blessings  which  Heaven  can  bestow  ! 
Guard  then  against  the  charms  of  external  beauty,  the 
brilliancy  of  wit  and  the  enchantments  of  wealth.  Con- 
sider her  education,  consider  the  disposition  of  her 
heart,  the  qualities  of  her  mind,  her  domestic  accom- 
plishments, and  above  all  consider  her  piety,  favour  is 
deceitful  and  beauty  is  vain,  but  a  woman  that  feareth 
the  Lord  shall  be  praised,  her  price  is  above  rubies,  the 
heart  of  her  husband  doth  safely  trust  in  her  and  she  shall 
do  him  good  and  not  evil  all  the  days  of  his  life. 

4th.  Wives,  this  subject  speaks  to  you  :  it  tells   you 


RELIGION.  }dl 

thai   you  arc  not  to  hinder   your  hiisbfinds,    but  to   help 
them.    A  lazy,  sluttish,  wasteful,  contentious,  imperious, 
inconstant,  unfaithlul  wite  is  one  of  the  greatest   misfiir- 
tunes  that  can    fall   to  the   lot  of  any  man.     I  pity  him 
Irom  the  bottom  of  my  heart  !  unfortunate  man  !  unhap- 
py man  !  his  wife,  instead  of  an   helpmeet,    instead    of 
the  best,  the  richest,  the  sweetest  of  all  blessings  which 
Heaven  could  bestow,  she  is  shackles  on  his  feet,  she  is 
palsy  to  his  hands,  she  is  a  burden  on  his  shoulders,  she 
!s  smoke  in  his  eyes,  she  is  vinegar  in  his  teeth,    she    is 
a   thorn   in   his   side,  she    is  a  dagger   in  his  heart,  and 
good  God  I  what  is  she  not  !*     O   ye  wives  !  consider 
how  much  your  husbands  have  honored  you,  by  choosing 
you  in  preference  to  all  others,  to  be  their  bosom,  their 
best,  tlieir  confidential   friends,   to  take    charge  of  their 
houses,  their  children,  their  property  and  their  happiness, 
till  death  shall  dissolve  the  tender,  the  solemn,  the  impor- 
tant  connexion.    Consider  how  much  they    do  and    how 
much  they  suffer  for  your  maintenance  and  comfort.  While 
you  are  easy,   and  safe  at  home,  they  are  exposed  to  ten 
thousand,  thousand  dangers  and  hardships,  by  sea  and  by 
land,  in  the  summer's  sultry  heat,  in  the  winter's  piercing 
coid  ;  contined  to   the  receipt  of  custom,   immured  with 
in  the  walls  of  the  study,  buried  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth, 
tossed  on  the  tempestuous  ocean,  bleeding  ia  the  field  of 
war,  indefatigable  in  their  profession,  trade,  or  occupation 
by  night  and  by  day  ;  and  what  is  the  chief  temporal  re- 
ward which  they  expect  for  all  their   toil,  all  their  troub- 
le  and    all  their    danger  ?  it  is  the    obedience,  it  is  tlie 
fidelity  and  it  is  the  atTection  of  their  wives.      Consider 
how  strongly  these  duties  are  recommended  in  the  scrip- 
tures :  consider  how  solemnly  you  promised  them  in  the 
church,  or  in  the  presence  of  God  and  of  your  friends, 
before  the  minister,   before  the    altar   on   your   wedding 
day!  and  after  all,  will  you  be  froward,  will  you  be  peev- 
ish, will  you  be  sullen,  will  you  be  ill-natured,   will   you 
be  unfaithful  or  neglectful  ?  No  !  Heaven  forbid  it  ;  It 
tB  better  to  dwell  alone  on  the   house  top,    than  to  dweli 

♦I  can  have  no  conception  of  a  better  cliaracter  or  personage  tlian  that  ai 
a  Tirtnous,  good  womaD,  and  I  can  have  no  conception  of  a  worse  chM°acCcr 
•r  personage  tl»a  Uiat  of  a  bad  woina:i  !  »h(t  is  v^'or.-^c  than  a  bar}  raaa 


i»£  RELIGION. 

with  a  brawling  woman  in  a  wide  liouse.  But  wives 
submit  yourselves  to  your  own  husbands  as  it  is  fit  in  the 
Lord,  and  let  the  wife  see  that  she  reverence  her  husband 
for  the  Lord  God  hath  said  I  will  make  him  an  help  meet 
for  him. 

.5th.     Husbands,  this  subject  speaks  to  you. — It  says 
nusbands  love  your  wives  and  be  not  bitter  against  them. 
Bitterness,  illnature,  want  of  kindness,   tenderness   and 
affection   towards   your    wives  is   meanness   and   inhu- 
manity, yea,  inhumanity  of  the  most  monstrous  kind,  for 
every  wound  inflicted  upon  your  wife  is  a    wound    inflic- 
ted on  your  own  body  ;  and    cruelty  to  your  wife  is  cru- 
elty to  yourself,  for  ye  two  are  one.     Bitterness  towards 
your  wife  is  not   only   inhuman,   but    it    is   unsp(;akably 
mean,  it  is  dastardly,  it  is  cowardly,  it  is  ungrateful  ;  for 
when  you  first  addressed  her   on  the  subject  of  love  and 
marriage,  she  was  coy  ;  you  protested  the   sincerity    of 
your  passion  ;  she  believed  you  but  was   still  timid    and 
reluctant. — You  employed  others  to  advocate  your  ease; 
at  length  she  consented  and    confided  in  your  integrity, 
she  committed  her  body,  her  accomplishments,  her  prop- 
erty and,  I  had  almost  said,  her  soul  into  your    hands — 
and   alas  !  your  bitterness  proves  you  dead  to  every  feel- 
ing of  honor,  of  gratitude,  of  religion  and  utterly  unwor- 
thy of  such  a  treasure. — It  is  ingratitude  to  God,  for  in 
compliance  with  your  wishes,  in  ansv/er  to  your  prayers. 
Heaven  has  given  you  a  lovely,  a  discreet,   and    amiable 
wife  to  be  an  helpmeet  for  you  ;  and  you  are   insensible 
of  the  favor,  you  trample  it  under   your   feet,    and   thus 
you  insult  the  goodness  of  God — your  bitterness  and  uit- 
kindness  towards  your  wife  is  an    impious    and    heaven- 
daring  violation  of  one  of  the    plainest    laws    of  nature, 
and  of  one  of  the  clearest  precepts   of  the    gospel  ;  for 
only  but  consider  what  the  great  Apostle  to  the  Gentiles 
says  on  this  subject.  (Ephesians,  5th,  25th.)    Husi)ands, 
love  your  wives  even  as  Christ  also   loved    the    church, 
and  gave  himself  for  it,  &c.  for   no  man  ever  yet    hated 
hifi  own  flesh,  but  nourisheth  and  cherisheth  it   even   as 
the  Lord  did  the  church  for  we  are  members  of  his  body, 
of  his  flesh  and  of  his  bones. — For  this  cause  shall  a  man 
leave  his  father  and  his  mother,  and  shall  be  joined  uitlv 


REUGION.  19Z 

liis  wife,  and  they  two  shall  be  one  flesh.  Thi3  is  a  great 
mystery,  but  I  speak  concerning  Christ  and  the  church, 
nevertheless  let  every  one  of  you  in  particular  so  love, 
esteem,  and  respect  his  own  wife,  even  as  he  does  him- 
self. With  )ut  pursuing  the  subject  let  none  of  us  ever 
forget  that  all  our  earthly  connexions  must  soon  be  dis- 
solved,and  that  they  ought  all  to  be  improved  with  a  view 
to  eternity  ;  lot  us  then  now  work  out  our  own  salvation 
with  fear  and  trembling  well-knowing  that  God  has  giv- 
en us  power  both  to  will  and  to  do  those  things  wkich 
are  for  his  good  pleasure — give  me  leave  therefore  to 
invite  you  all,  single  and  married,  young  and  old,  to  a 
spiritual  union  by  faith,  and  love  and  good  works  with 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ — come  into  the  ark  of  Christ's 
Church  ;  rend  your  hearts  from  every  evil  propensity  ; 
devote  yourselves  to  the  service  of  God  in  a  sober  right- 
eous and  godly  life  and  conversation,  all  things  are  now 
ready,  come  to  the  wedding,  amen  ! 

OJ^  RELIGiajS'. 

If  people  would  be  careful  to  understand  and  define 
the  terms  which  they  use  in  conveying  their  ideas  to 
each  other,  on  subjects  of  religion,  it  would  greatly 
abate,  if  not  entirely  do  away  those  unhappy  differences 
and  disputes  which  now  exist  in  the  world.  Religion  is 
derived  from  the  latin  word  religo,  which  signifies  to 
bind,  and  is  that  bond  or  obligation  which  every  crea- 
ture owes  to  its  Creator  ;  so  that  every  person  of  every 
nation,  country,  language  and  persuasion  under  Heaven, 
who  believes  that  there  is  a  God,  and  endeavors  to  live 
a  life  accordingly,  may  lie  said  to  be  a  religious  person  • 
and  his  religion  will  be  either  true  or  false,  according 
as  his  ideas  of  God  are  correct  or  incorrect  :  tor  a  false 
religion  is  a  departure  from  true  religion. 

Enthusiasm  according  to  our  present  definition  of  the 
lerm,  is  religious  zeal  and  exercise  carried  beyond  the 
bounds  of  sober  reason  and  sound  judgment.  No  one 
ever  acts  wisely  either  in  religion  or  in  any  thing  else, 
except  when  he  acts  reasonably  ;  and  the  moment  we 
suffer  our  feelings  to  run  away  with  our  judgment,  either 

17 


I9i  RELIGION. 

in  religion  or  politics,  in  astronomy  or  philosophy,  in 
drinking  or  in  courtship,  or  in  any  thing  else,  we  are 
very  liable  to  go  astray  from  duty. 

Superstition  is  derived  fiom  the  Latin  words  super 
and  sto,  which  signify  to  stand  upon  :  and  it  is  making 
that  a  matter  of  great  importance  in  our  minds,  which  is 
initself  of  no  material  consequence.  It  is  being  very 
strenuous  and  conscientious  in  some  circumstantials  of 
religion,  while  the  great  duties  of  human  life  are  but 
little  regarded. 

Bigotry,  is  adhering  to  any  principle  without  examin- 
ation, without  reason,  and  contrary  to  our  judgment.  A 
man  Kay  be  firm  in  his  opinion,  but  the  moment  he  shuts 
up  his  mind  against  reason,  that  moment  be  bceomes  a 
bigot. 

Conversion,  is  derived  from  the  Latin  words  con  and 
vcrto,  which  signify  turning  from,  and  is  expressed  in 
the  18th  chapter  of  Ezckiel,  viz.  "  when  the  wicked 
raan  turneth  away  from  his  wickedness  that  he  hath  com- 
mitted, and  doth  tl.at  which  is  lawful  and  right,  he  shall, 
save  his  soul  alive."  And  our  Saviour  says  to  Peter — 
Satan  desires  to  have  thee,  and  to  sift  thee  as  wheat,  but 
when  thou  mi  converted,  i.  e.  when  thou  hast  turn- 
ed away  from  this  temptation,  strengthen  the  breth- 
ren. 

Regeneration,  is  derived  from  the  Latin  words  re  and 
genero,  which  signify  to  be  born  again  ;  and  our  Sav- 
iour says  it  must  be  of  water  and  of  the  spirit  ;  which 
the  Christian  church,  in  all  nations,  ages  and  countries, 
has  defined  to  be  water  in  baptism,  whereby  the  person 
is  born  out  of  the  society  of  this  world,  into  which  he 
is  born  at  his  natural  birth;  into  tlie  society  of  Chris- 
tians :  and  the  spirit  which  ia  given  in  God's  good  time, 
whereby  the  natural  disposition  is  changed  jrom  the  love 
and  practice  of  that  which  is  wrong,  to  the  love  and  prac' 
iicc  of  that  which  is  good  and  right  :  and  that  every  man, 
woman  and  child,  who  is  capable  of  being  saved,  is  ca- 
pable of  being  born  again,  and  ought  to  be  baptized ; 
and  as  we  are  all  children  of  the  same  infinitely  com- 
passionate parent  of  the  universe,  each  one  has  an  equal 
ria;ht  to  all  the  means  of  grace  here   and  through  thcnv 


RELIGION  19^ 

to  the  hope  of  glory  hereafter  ;  and  it  is  wrong  to  refuse 
infant  children  the  benefits  and  privileges  of  the  Gospel 
covenant  because  their  parents  arc  not  so  good  and  so 
exemplary  as  they  should  be. 

FEASTS  AND  FASTS. 

The  Christian  church  has  always  divided  the  Chris- 
tian year  into  two  parts,  viz.  from  Advent  to  Trinity 
Sunday,  and  from  Trinity  Sunday  to  Advent  again. — • 
During  the  first  six  months,  we  are  taught  what  God  has 
done  for  us  ;  and  how  much  our  salvation  has  been  the 
care  of  Heaven  :  During  the  last  six  months  we  are 
taught  what  God  requires  ns  to  do  for  ourselves. 

Advent,  is  derived  from  the  Latin  words  ad  and  venio 
■which  signify  coming  or  advancing  to  any  place  ;  but  as 
the  word  is  used  in  the  Christian  church,  it  means  our 
Saviour's  coming  into  this  world,  and  is  always  the  four 
weeks  next  before  Christmas.  During  these  fourweeka 
it  is  the  imperative  duty  of  every  minister  to  preach  and 
explain  to  his  hearers  the  necessity  and  benefit  of 
Christ's  first  coming  into  the  world  to  redeem  mankind, 
and  the  importance  of  his  coming  again  in  the  last  day 
to  judge  the  world. 

Christmas,  is  the  day  of  our  Saviour's  nativity  ;  on 
which  the  Christian  church  joins  with  the  Heavenly 
Hosts,  in  giving  glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  that  in  and 
through  Him,  who  is  born  into  the  world,  as  on  that  day, 
there  may  be  peace  on  earth,  and  God's  good  will  to  the 
sinful  children  of  men.  After  Christmas  the  church 
follows  our  Saviour  through  the  whole  course  of  his  life, 
so  that  there  is  no  doctrine  he  ever  taught,  no  miracle 
he  ever  wrought,  no  example  tliat  he  ever  set  forth  for 
imitation  and  instruction  which  will  not  be  duly  explain- 
ed, inculcated  and  enjoined,  and  by  everv  minister  in  all 
nations,  countries  and  languages,  at  the  same  time.  It 
is  customary  in  the  Episcopal  Church  to  illuminate  theii 
houses  of  worship  on  Christmas  Eve,  in  token  of  joy  and 
rejoicing,  and  to -represent  that  internal  light  which  h<* 
who  was  the  light  of  the  world,  was  then  about  to  intro- 
duce :  and  also,  to  decorate  themselves  and  their  hous- 


136  RELIGION. 

63  and  places  of  worship  with  green  boughs,  an-l  vines, 
and  roses,  and  flowers,  to  shew  that  as  these  green  boughs 
and  vines,  &c.  live  through  the  cold  and  icy  embrace  of 
winter,  so  in  and  through  him  who  is  born  into  the  worlc* 
as  at  that  time,  our  dead  bodies  shall  live  through  the 
cold  and  icy  embrace  of  death,  and  in  the  morn  of  the 
resurrection  they  shall  rise  and  blossom  as  the  rose. — 
Our  religion  is  not  as  the  world  was  before  it  was  made, 
viz.  loithout  form,  and  void,  and  darkness  upon  it,  but  it 
is  reduced  to  a  regular  system,  so  that  there  is  no  article 
of  the  Christian  faith,  necessary  to  be  believed,  and  no 
duty  necessary  to  be  performed,  which  will  not  be  regu- 
larly and  duly  pointed  out,  explained,  and  enjoined,  at 
least  once  in  every  year,  and  by  every  minister  at  the 
same  time.  Most  of  the  Old  Testament  is  appointed  to 
be  read  through  once,  and  the  New  Testament  twice  ev- 
ery year,  and  the  Book  of  Psalms  once  every  month, 
and  by  every  minister  at  the  same  time  ;  and  it  is  so  ar- 
ranged that  the  chapters  and  portions  of  scripture  which 
the  ministers  are  roquired  to  read  will  explain  and  enjoin 
the  articles  of  faith  necessary  to  be  believed,  and  the 
duties  necessary  to  be  performed  on  that  day,  and  at  all 
times.  r 

New-Year,  is  observed,  not  because  it  Is  the  first  day 
of  the  year,  but  because  it  was  the  day  on  which  our 
Saviour  was  circumcised.  On  that  day  it  is  especially 
the  duty  of  every  minister  to  lay  before  his  hearers  the 
necessity  and  the  advantage  of  being  admitted  into  cov- 
enant with  God  :  in  the  Jewish  church  by  the  rite  of  cir- 
cumcision, and  in  the  Christian  church  by  the  sacrament 
of  Baptism.  Our  commission  is  to  preach  the  gospel 
to  every  creature,  and  to  baptise  all  nations.  This  gos- 
pel is  good  news  to  all  mankirid  ;  it  is, that  notwithsfand- 
ing,  since  the  fall,  they  are  conceived  in  sin,  and  are 
by  nature  the  children  of  wrath  ;  God  is  now  willing,  in 
and  through  Jesus  Christ,  to  recieve  them  into  the  arms 
of  his  mercy,  to  forgive  their  sins,  to  sanctify  them  with 
the  Holy  Ghost,  to  give  them  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
and  a  glorious  res  urrection  at  the  last  day  :  and  these 
promises  are  offered  to  you,  to  your  children  and  to  all 
that  are  far  off,  even  as  piany  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall 


RELIGION.  M7 

call  :  and  he  says,  look  unto  me  all  ye  ends  of  the 
*  earth,  and  be  ye  saved.  Those  who  have  these  good 
news,  and  are  willing  to  receive  these  great  and  glori- 
ous promises,  are  required  to  accept  them  by  coming  in- 
to covenant  with  Gsd,  by  promising  and  engaging  on 
their  part,  that  they  will  use  their  best  endeavors  to  re- 
nounce and  avoid  all  kind  of  sin  and  wickedness,  that 
they  will  constantly  believe  God's  holy  word,  and  obe- 
diently keep  his  commands.  The  sis;n  and  seal  of  this 
covenant  is  ivater  applied  by  lawful  authority,  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  ;  for  there  are  three  that  bear  record  in  Heaven, 
the  Father,  the  Word,  (i.  e.  the  Son,  for  he  was  made 
.  flesh,  and  dwelt  among  men,)  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
THESE  THREE  ARE  ONE.  And  there  arc  three  that 
bear  witness  on  earth  ;  the  Spirit  and  the  water,  and  the 
blood, — represented  by  the  blood  and  water  that  sprink- 
led upon  the  earth  from  the  side  of  our  Savior  as  he 
hung  upon  the  cross  ;  blood  to  show  that  an  atonement 
was  made  for  sin  ;  water  to  shov;  the  purifying  nature 
of  the  gospel  ;  and  the  spirit  to  change  the  heart  or  af- 
fections of  mankind  from  the  love  and  practice  of  ungod- 
liness and  worldly  lusts,  to  the  love  of  God,  and  of  a  so- 
ber, righteous  and  godly  life,  and  these  three  agree  in 
one.  For  this  reason  infant  children  and  others  are 
sprinkled  in  baptism,  to  signify  the  outpourings  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  the  blood  and  wcfter  that  sprinkled  from  the 
side  of  our  Savior  as  he  hung  upon  the  cross,  and  that 
we  are  thus  planted  in  the  likeness,  not  of  his  burial,  but 
of  his  death.  But  the  frailty  of  human  nature  is  such, 
that  we  ought  often  to  call  ourselves  to  an  account,  to 
bring  our  consciencesi  to  the  bar  of  God,  to  become  feel- 
ingly sensible  of  our  sins,  and  to  flee  to  the  blood  of 
Christ  in  the  blessed  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  : 
there  to  receive  all  the  benefits  of  his  body  broken  and 
his  blood  shed  for  us,  that  we  may  obtain  the  forgiveness 
of  what  is  past,  renew  the  covenant  between  God  and 
our  souls,  and  be  reinstated  into  the  divine  favor  and 
protection.     See  John  vi.  53 — 54. 

Epiphany,  is  derived  from  the  Greek  word   epipkaino- 
»iai,  and  signifies  appearance.    ,It  is  the  time   when   out 

17* 


108  RELIGION. 

Saviour  was  manifested  to  the  Gentiles  by  the  leading  of 
a  miraculous  star  ;  when  the  partition  wall  between  Jew^s 
and  Gentiles  was  broken  down,  and  free   salvation  was 
offered  to  every  son  and  daughter  of  the  human  race  up- 
o-n  equal  terms.     It  is  the  time  when  the  wise  Men  came 
from  the  east  to  Jerusalem  and  inquired  where   he   was 
who  was  born  King  of  the  Jews  &.c.     These  wise    men 
were  heathen  or  Gentiles  ;  and  when  they  came  into  the 
house,  and  saw  the  young  child  with   Mary  his  mother, 
they  fell  down  and  worshipped  him:  and  when  they  had 
opened  their  treasures,  they  presented  unto  him  gifts  of 
gold,  frankincense  and    myrrh — that  is,   they  gave  him 
gold  to  shew  that  he  was  a  king,  they  gave  him  frankin- 
cense to  shew  that  he  was  a  God,    and  they   gave   him 
myrrh  to  shew  the  lost  and  deplorable  state   of  mankind 
by  nature  and  how   necessary  it  is   that  they   should  be 
restored  to  the  favor  of  the  king  of  glory  in  and  through 
the  incense   of  his  offerings.     At  this  tinse  we   consider 
the  sheet  which  St.  Peter  saw  let    down  from   Heaven, 
containing  four  footed  beasts  of  every  kind,  to  represent 
all  the  different  nations  upon   earth.     At  this  time  we 
consider  the  first  miracle  our   Saviour   wrought,   which 
was  that  of  turning  water  into  wine.     We  also  consider 
a  visible  manifestation  of  the  three  persons  in   the    ever 
adorable  Trinity  of  Heaven  at  the  baptism    of  our    Sav- 
iour which  was  his  ordination,  or  consecration  to  the  of- 
fice of  a  Priest,  for  he  then    began   to    be   about   thirty 
years  of  age.     God  the    Father   was  manifested  in   the 
voice  from  heaven,  which  said,  This  is  my  beloved  son, 
hear  ye  him.     The  son  was  manifested  in  the  water    of 
baptism,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  was  manifested  in  the  form 
of  a  dove  descending  and  lighting  upon  him  :  and  this  is 
one  reason  why  we  are  baptized  in  the  name  of  the    Fa- 
ther, and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

AsHWEDNESDAY,  is  the  first  of  the  forty  days  and  forty 
nights  that  our  Saviour  fasted  and  did  penance  for  the 
sins  of  mankind,  and  is  the  first  day  of  Lent  which  is  an 
old  Saxon  word  signifying  spring,  and  includes  the  time 
of  our  Saviour's  fasting,  which  was  in  the  spring  of  the 
year. 

Palm-Sundat,  is.the  day  that  our    Saviour   ascended 


RELIGION.  199 

I 
into  Jerusalem  the  last  time  amidst  the  hosannahs  of 
thousands,  and  those  who  went  before  and  followed 
after,  cut  down  branches  from  t-he  trees,  and  strewed 
them  in  the  way,  &c.  in  the  fulfilment  of  the  phroph- 
ecy  of  Zachariah,  ix.  9.  written  about  587  years  be- 
fore. 

Passion  Week,  is  the  week  after  Palm  Sunday,  and 
is  the  week  of  our  Saviour's  cruel  and  unfair  trial  before 
the  Jewish  court  or  council. 

Good  Friday,  is  the  day  on  which  our  blessed  Sav- 
iour died  upon  the  cross  for  our  redemption  and  final  sal- 
vation ;  and  is  observed  as  a  day  of  humiliation,  fasting 
and  prayer.  It  is  called  good  friday  from  the  good  ef- 
fects which  resMlted  to  mankind  from  his  death  and  suf- 
ferings. 

Easterday,  is  the  day  that  our  Saviour  arose  from 
the  dead  as  in  earnest  and  as  a  pledge  of  the  future  res- 
urrection of  all  his  faithful  followers  to  immortal  glory 
and  happiness.  Easter  is  derived  from  an  old  Saxon 
word  oest,  which  signifies  to  rise,  apd  a  star,  a  luminary 
in  heaven.  So  that  as  the  lightning  shines  from  the  east 
even  unto  the  west,  so  shall  be  the  coming  of  the  Son  of 
Man  ;  and  for  this  reason  do  all  nations  bury  the  dead 
with  their  heads  to  the  west  facing  to  the  east,  so  that 
when  Christ  shall  come  to  judge  the  world  in  the  last 
day,  all  who  are  in  their  graves  shall  hear  his  voice,  and 
come  forth,  their  faces  will  be  towards  him,  to  receive 
tlie  joyful  blessing  which  he  shall  then  pronounce  upon 
them  saying,  come  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  k.c.  Eas- 
ter is  the  same  to  us  that  the  passover  was  to  the  Jews  : 
As  they  calculated  their  time  by  the  moon,  so  are  wo 
obliged  to  have  recourse  to  the  same  method  of  keep- 
ing time,  for  the  Almighty  has  said,  Ex.  xii,  14,  Ye 
shall  keep  it  a  feast  to  the  Lord  througliout  your  gener- 
ations :  ye  shall  keep  it  a  feast  by  an  ordnance  for  ever. 
And  St.  Paul  says,  1  Cor,  v.  7.  Christ  our  passover  is 
sacrificed   for  us,  therefore  let  us  keep  the  feast. 

Holy  Thursday,  is  what  we  call  Ascension  day  ; 
and  is  the  day  when  our  Saviour  ascended  visibly  into 
heaven,  Acts  i.  9.  10.  and  is  s'it  do  vn  at  the  right  hand 


200  RELIGION. 

of  God,  to  intercede  for  us,  till  he  shall  come  again  with 
power  and  glory. 

Whitsunday,  is  the  day  when  the  Holy  Ghost  descen- 
ded upon  the  Apostles  in  the  form  of  fire  •  and  they 
were  then  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire  ; 
as  was  furetold  by  John  the  Baptist.  It  is  the  same  to 
us  that  Pentecost  was  to  the  Jews.  { 

Trinity  Sunday,  is  a  day  set  apart  to  inculcate  the 
great  and  mysterious  doctrine  of  the  holy  and  ever  ado- 
rable Trinity,  in  whose  name  we  have  been  baptized. 
That  there  are  three  persons  and  one  God,  is  a  doctrine 
taught  in  the  holy  scriptures.  In  the  first  chapter  of 
Genesis,  God  the  Father  spake  ;  the  word  (which  was 
afterwards  made  flesh,)  went  for'h,  and  the  spirit  moved 
upon  the  face  of  the  waters.  In  the  2Gth  verse,  the 
'Almighty  says,  in  the  plural  nujJ'^r,  let  us  make  man  in 
our  image,  and  after  our  likeness.  Our  understanding 
creates  every  thing  that  we  know,  it  is  the  Creator  with- 
in us,  and  is  to  us,  the  father  of  all  other  faculties.  Our 
memory  is  begotten  by  the  understanding,  proceeds  from 
the  understanding,  saves  and  preserves  what  the  under- 
standing creates,  and  is  the  saviour  within  us.  What 
the  understanding  creates  and  the  memory  preserves, 
our  afTection  will  induce  us  to  love  it  or  to  hate  it  :  to 
pursue  it  or  to  avoid  it,  and  will  call  us  into  action.  Tell 
me  how  much  older  the  understanding  is  than  the  mem- 
ory, and  I  will  tell  you  hov/  much  older  the  Father  is 
than  the  Son. 

This  doctrine  is  not  only  taught  in  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  illustrated  by  the  unde'-standing,  the  memory 
and  the  affection,  which  1  ha/e  already  explained  ;  but 
in  the  very  formation  of  our  bodies,  which  are  first  cov- 
ered with  an  epidenniSyi.  e.  ascafs'.in,  the  reie  mu- 
cosum,  i.  e.  a  substance  under  the  scai'  skin,  and  cutis 
vera,  i.  e.  the  real  or  true  c-kin.  Allowing  thirty  days  to 
a  month,  in  nine  months  i  re  i~0  days  ;  so  allowing  the 
nails  to  be  bones,  [they  arc  ■w-t  bones,  but  nearer  bone 
f/iojt  carlilege — call  them  buncn)  md  there  arc  270  bones 
in  each  human  body,  i.  e.  ju^t  as  many  bones  in  the  hu- 
man body  as  there  are  da;  s  in  nine  months.  There  are 
fifty-two  weeks  in  the  year,  and  just  fifty-two    bones   ir 


RELIGION.  a» 

the  trunk  of  the  body.  There  are  tAvelve  months  in  the 
year,  and  just  twelve  dorsal  vertebra;  or  joints  in  the 
back.  There  are  seven  days  in  the  week,  and  just  seven 
cervical  vertebrae,  or  joints  in  the  human  neck  xo 
bow  down  to  labor  in  the  week  with.  There  are  twenty- 
four  hours  in  the  day,  and  just  twenty-four  ribs  in  the 
human  body.  There  are  thirty-two  points  of  compass, 
and  just  thirty-two  buties,  in  each  arm  and  in  each  leg, 
to  go  all  around  tlie  compass  to  get  your  living  with. 
There  are  thirty-two  different  kinds  of  alimentary  food, 
more  or  less,  und  just  thirty-two  teeth  in  every  human 
mouth,  where  they  iiave  a  full  set  to  masticate  that  food. 
There  are  but  eiyht  notes  in  music,  and  in  dissecting  the 
ear,  we  find  that  there  are  just  eight  parts  on  each  ear 
to  hear  those  notes  of  music.  There  are  but  seven 
primary  colors,  and  on  dissecting  the  eye,  we  find  that 
there  are  just  seven  parts  in  each  eye  to  see  those  colors. 
There  are  three  lobes  in  the  brain,  which  is  the  seat  of 
life,  called  the  cerebrum,  cerebellum,  and  medulla  ob- 
longata, and  there  are  three  persons  in  the  Holy  Trinity 
ichn  gave  life.  There  are  thirty-nine  books  in  tho  old 
Testament  ;  thirty-nine  stripes  were  to  be  inflicted  on 
those  who  should  violate  those  books  :  and  just  thirty- 
nine  pair  of  nerves  to  feel  those  stripes  when  they  were 
inflicted,  for  where  there  is  no  nerve  there  is  no  feeling. 
There  are  five  senses,  viz.  hearing,  seeing,  tasting,  smel- 
ling and  feeling  ;  five  orders  of  architecture,  five  points 
of  moral  fellowship,  and  five  fingers  and  five  toes  on 
each  hand  and  on  each  foot,  to  perform  with.  How 
wonderfully  is  the  human  body  made  !  how  exactly  is 
it  formed  to  answer  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  de- 
signed ! 

And  thus  you  see,  that  to  deny  the  doctrine  of  the 
Trinity  is  to  d^ny  your  own  baptism  ;  for  you  were  bap- 
tized in  '.he  name  of  the  Father  ai.d  of  the  Son  and  of 
tlie  Holy  Ghost,  it  is  to  deny  the  Holy  Scripturr-s,  for 
there  are  three  that  bear  record  in  Heaven,  the  Father, 
the  Word  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  these  three  are  one — it 
is  to  deny  your  own  souls,  for  they  were  made  in  the 
image  of  God — it  is  to  deny  your  own  bodies,  for 
there  are  three  lobes  in  the  brain  which  is  the   feat   of 


JS2  RELIGIO??. 

Jife — and  it    is   to   deny    the    elements   of  the    material 
World. 

Innocent's  Day,  December  28th,  is  the  day  on  which 
Herod  commanded  14,000  innocent  children,  that  were 
two  years  old  and  under,  to  be  put  to  death  in  search  of 
our  Saviour. 

Conversion  of  St.  Paul,  on  the  2.5th  of  January,  is 
set  apart  to  consider  his  conversion,  life,  doctrine,  minis- 
try, history,  &c. 

Purification  of  the  blessed  virgin  Mary,  February 
^d,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  Jewish  Church,  is  to 
give  thanks  after  the  birth  of  a  child,  and  is  what  we  call 
churching  of  women. 

Annunciation  of  the  virgin  Mary,  March  2oth,  when 
the  angel  declared  that  she  was  highly  favored  of  the 
Lord,  that  she  should  conceive  and  bring  forth  a  son 
and  should  call  his  name  Jesus.  Read  Luke  i.  26, 
Stc. 

Septuagesima  is  a  latin  word  which  signifies  70th,  and 
is  about  the  70th  day  before   Easter  or  the  Passover. 

Sexagesimo  is  a  latin  word  which  signifies  60th,  and  is 
about  the  60th  day  before  Easter. 

Qiiinquagesima  is  a  latin  word  which  signifies  50th,  and 
is  about  the  50th  day  before  Easter. 

Quadragesima  is  a  latin  word  which  signifies  40th 
and  is  about  the  40th  day  before  Easter.  The  design 
of  retaining  these  names  is  to  show  the  connection  be- 
tween the  Greek,  the  Latin,  the  English  and  other 
Churches. 

Rogation  is  derived  from  tlie  Latin  word  rogo,  which 
signifies  to  ask,  beg  or  supplicate  ;  and  Rogation  days 
are  the  Mondays,  Tuesdays  and  Wednesdays,  before 
our  blessed  Saviour  ascended  into  Heaven,  and  are  set 
apart  to  supplicate  God's  mercies  and  favors  through  his 
mediation. 

The  several  Sarnies  days  are  set  apart  to  consider  th-e 
particular  virtues^  pidj/,  examples  and  histories,  of  those 
saints  and  good  men  who  have  gone  before  us. 

Shrove  Tuesdaij,  is  derived  from  an  old  Saxon  word 
which   signifies  to  confess  their  faults  with   fear,    quak- 


RELIGION  HU 

ing  and  shivering,  and  is  the    day  before  Ash  Wednes- 
day. 

ICJ^What  may  be  done  at  any  time  will  commonly 
be  done  at  no  time  ;  and  there  is  certainly  great  propri- 
ety in  setting  apart  certain  days  and  seasons  in  every 
year  to  inculcate  the  most  material  articles  of  the  chris- 
tian faith  and  to  explain  and  enjf  in  the  most  material 
duties  of  a  christian  life,  conversation  and  behav- 
iour. 

The  first  religion  of  external  observances,  that  God 
ever  gave  to  man,  was  the  Pairiavvhicnl  Religion^  in 
which  the  father  of  the  fanily,  the  head  of  the  tribe,  or 
the  first  man  among  them  was  their  Priest  and  offered 
sacrifice  to  God  for  iii^nself  and  others.  This  religion 
lasted  from  Adam  to  Moses,  about  2430  years. 

The  second  Rclis:ion,  of  extern  il  observances  and  in- 
ternal improvements,  that  God  ever  gave  to  man,  was  the 
Jewish  Religion,  in  whicli  they  had  High  Priests,  Priests 
and  Levites  ;  three  separate  and  distinct  orders  of  Clergy 
with  their  distinct  offices,  to  offer  sacrifices,  &.c.  to  God, 
for  themselves  and  others.  This  Religion  lasted  from 
Moses  to  Christ,  about  I570years,  and  is  set  forth  in  the 
old  Testament. 

The  third  and  last  Religion,  of  external  observances 
and  internal  graces  and  improvements  wiiich  God  gave  to 
man,  was  the  Christian  Religion,  in  which  they  have 
Bishops,  Pnests  and  Deacons  ;  three  separate  and  dis- 
tinct orders  of  Clergy  with  their  disiinct  offices,  to  offer 
to  God  the  commemorative  sacrifice  of  praise  and  thanks- 
giving, for  the  expiatory  sacrifice  of  Christ  who  once 
offered  himself  a  sacrifice  for  all,  &c.  This  Religion 
has  and  will  last  from  Christ's  fu  st  advent  to  redeem 
mankind,  until  his  second  and  far  more  glorious  advent 
to  judge  the  world. 

The  Mahometan  Religion  originated  in  Asia,  A.  D. 
606,  and  their  faith  and  exter  lal  observances  are  con- 
tained and  set  forth  in  a  bool:  ;  ;ilJed  the  Jilcoran.  They 
believe  in  one  God  and  in  Maiio  amed  as  his  prophet, 
they  believe  in  angels  and  in  d<  vils  :  they  believe  m 
their  Alcoran,  in  a  future  accountability  and  a  final  judg- 
ment ;  they  hold  that  God  has  from  all  eternity  absolute- 


2H  RELIGION- 

\y  and  unconditionally  fore-ordained  and  fore-decreed  all 
the  actions  of  all  his  creatures,  an  1  all  their  happiness 
or  misery  to  all  eternity.— Their  Religion  requires  pray- 
er, giving  of  films,  fasting  and  ;pilgrima<£e  to  Mecca, 
Stc.  They  ohstain  from  usury,  gambling,  drinking 
wine,  eating  blood  and  swine's  flesh. — They  are  di- 
vided into  different  sects  or  parties,  and  are  continu- 
ally condemning  one  another.  There  are  said  to  be 
140,000,000  of  the  huniaa  race  who  are  Mahometans, 
residing  in  Asia,  Africa,  and  in  the  south  east  part  of 
Europe. 

Paganism  is  the  same  as  Heathenism,  and  embraces 
all  who  worship  false  Gods,  or  no  God  at  all.  Atheist 
is  one  who  believes  thot  there  is  no  God,  or  Creator,  or 
Governor  of  the  Universe.  Deist  is  one  who  believes 
that  there  is  a  God,  but  does  not  believe  the  Bible  to 
come  from  him  any  more  than  any  other  book,  nor  does 
he  believe  any  communication  from  him  except  in  his 
■works  of  creation. 

Papists  are  tlie  same  as  Roman  Catholics,  including  all 
who  belong  to  what  they  call  the  True  Church. — I  be- 
lieve in  the  Holy  Catholic  Church,  embracing  all  who 
are  sanctified,  and  are  led  by  the  spirit,  i.  e.  disposition 
of  Christ,  of  every  nation,  country,  language  and  persua- 
sion under  Heavens  ;  but  I  do  not  believe  in  the  Holy 
Roman  Catholic  Church.  My  objections  to  them  are, 
that  the  Bishop  of  Rome  claims  an  authority,  which  in 
my  opinion,  never  was  given  to  him  or  to  any  other  man, 
except  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  only  to  him  as  God  and  man. 
In  the  next  place  I  do  not  believe  ini  their  seven  sacra- 
ments, intransubstantiation,  in  purgatory,  in  worshiping 
images  or  in  worshiping  God  by  them.  In  indulgencies 
to  commit  sin,  &.c.  &c.  &c. 

Episcopalians  are  so  called  from  the  Greek  word  Epis- 
kopos,  which  signifies  a  Bishop  or  an  overseer,  who  is 
the  successor  of  an  Apostle  and  invested  with  divine  au- 
thority to  ordain  ministers  and  to  govern  them  and  all 
things  belonging  to  the  Church  according  to  Christ's 
laws  ;  but  by  no  means  has  he  authority  contrary  to  the 
law  of  Christ  and  the  established  order  of  the  Church 
auj  more  than  a  Judge  or  Justice  has  authority  contrary 


RELIGION.  305 

to  the  law  of  the  state.  When  Christ  was  upon  earth  he 
instituted  and  established  a  church  to  be  under  the  gos- 
pel dispensation  in  the  New  Testament,  in  conformity  to 
the  Church  of  Israel  in  the  Old  Testament.  That  was 
a  well  organized  society,  with  proper  officers,  to  continue 
to  the  end  of  that  dispensation.  The  Christian  Church 
is  a  well  organized  socfet/,  with  proper  officers  to  continue 
to  the  end  of  the  worW.  If  it  be  Christ's  Church  it 
must  have  been  organized  by  him,  the  officers  must  have 
been  commissioned  by  him,  and  they  naust  now  receive 
their  authority  from  him,  immediately  from  Heaven,  or 
by  a  regular  succession.  This  the  Church  of  England  and 
the  Episcopal  Church  in  America  claim,  and  in  my  opin- 
ion, they  adduce  abundant  proof  to  substantiate  thi-s 
claim.  In  proportion  to  their  numbers  they  certainly 
are  one  of  the  most  learned,  wealthy,  pious  and  respec* 
table  denominations  in  the  United  States. 

Presbyterians  are  so  called  from  the  Greek  word 
Presbuteros,  which  signifies  an  elder,  an  older  person,  one 
who  is  in  the  second  order  of  clergy  ;  and  for  them 
to  ordain  and  govern  the  Church  without  their  Bishop, 
is  like  justices  of  the  peace  commissioning  other  justices, 
and  governing  the  state  without  the  Governor.  They 
originated  in  Scotland  about  the  year  1530,  and  are  a 
very  numerous,  learned  and  respectable  body  of  profes- 
sing Christians,  but  are  wonderfully  divided  into  differ- 
ent sects  and  parties,  so  that  if  any  should  wish  to  be  a 
Presbyterian,  he  would  hardly  know  what  party  to 
join. 

Congregationalists  were  so  called  because  they  supposed 
that  all  ecclesiastical  authority  was  lodged  in  the  Con- 
gregation, and  formerly  ministers  were  ordained  and  mem- 
bers were  admitted  into  the  Church  by  a  vote  of  the 
congregation.  They  were  organized  in  England  by 
one  Cartwright  about  the  year  1580,  and  are  a  very 
learned,  pious,  respectable  body  of  professing  Christians; 
in  some  cases  they  are  highly  Calvanistic,  in  others  Ap- 
minian. 

Independents  were  so  called,  because  they  held  that 
any  number  of  professing  Christians  had  a  right  to  form 
themselreB  into  a  Church,  choose  one  of  their  own  num- 

18 


?C6  RflSlGION.      * 

ber  to  be  their  minister,  lo  ordain  him  and  under  hinj 
to  enjoy  all  ordinances  of  Religion,  independently  of  any 
■body  in  the  world.  They  were  first  organized  in  Eng 
land  by  one  Robert  Brown,  about  the  year  1590.  They 
have  now  very  generally  amalgamated  with  the  Congre- 
gationalists. 

Baptists  were  formerly  called  Anabaptist,  because  they 
baptized  again  those  who  joined  Ihem,  even  if  they  had 
oeen  baptized,  and  Antipedobaptisl,  because  they  rejec- 
ted infant  baptisn|  and  baptism  by  sprinkling  or  pouring 
water  on  the  subject.  They  originated  in  Germany 
about  the  year  1525,  though  some  claim  to  be  descended 
from  John  the  Baptist,  and  others  from  the  Apostles  ;  but 
they  are  now  a  learned,  respectable  body  of  professing 
Christians. 

Methodists  are  so  called,  oecause  Westley  and  Whit- 
field their  founders,  adopted  a  particular  method  in  their 
religious  exercises.  They  were  first  orc;anized  in  Eng- 
land about  the  year  1729.  They  are  now  the  most  nu- 
merous denomination  in  the  United  States,  and  for  elo- 
quence, vital  piety,  and  strict  morality,  they  are  excell- 
ed by  none.  In  point  of  doctrine  they  agree  \N'ith  the 
Church  of  England  for  the  most  part.  j 

.Quakers  are  so  called  because  they  had  a  particular 
manner  in  their  meetings  of  shaking  and  quaking.  They 
originated  in  England  about  the  year  1650,  and  were 
founded  by  George  Fox.  Like  most  other  denomina- 
tions, they  are  divided  info  sects  and  parties.  The  Hix- 
ites  is  a  parly  lately  sprung  up  among  them,  and  has 
caused  great  animosity  and  division  :  they  deny  the  di- 
vinity of  Christ  and  the  sufficiency  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
lures. 

Universalists  arc  so  called  because  they  hold  that 
all  men  will  finally  be  saved.  They  also  are  divided 
among  themselves;  some  claim  that  there  wi!i  be  no  pun- 
ishment after  death  for  any  crimes  committed  in  this  life 
— others  claim  that  there  will  be  a  punishment,  but  that 
there  will  be  a  final  restoration  ;  but  in  any  case,  if  they 
err  it  is  on  the  charitable  side  ;  if  it  be  a  dangerous  er- 
ror, as  I  think  it  is,  it  is  a  good  natured  one. 
Arians  are  so  called  because  they  originated  from  one 


RELIGION.  '-' 

Ariiis,  in  the  year,  315.  He  taught  that  Christ  was  not 
the  Eternal  God,  and  ought  not  to  be  worshipped.  To 
confute  this  error,  the  Nicene  Council  was  held  ; 
composed  of  all  the  Bishops  in  the  known  world,  and  the 
Nicene  creed  was  then  adopted,  A.  D.  325,  and  has 
been  constantly  acknowledged  and  used  in  the  Church 
ever  since.  Socinians,  unitarians,  Stc.  agree  in  the 
main  points  with  the  Arians, 

ON  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 

All  denominations  of  Christians  agree  in  acknowl- 
edging the  Book  called  the  Bible,  to  have  been  given 
by  the  immediate  influence  and  inspiration  of  God  :  and 
that  it  contains  and  sets  forth  the  articles  of  their  faith 
and  the  rule  of  their  practice.  The  Old  Testament  is 
acknowledged  and  believed  by  the  Jews  ;  both  the  Old 
and  ISew  Testaments  are  acknowledged  and  believed  by 
Christians.  The  general  evidences  on  which  they  found 
Iheir  belief  in  the  divine  authority  of  the  Bible,  are,  1st, 
miracles  ;  2d,  fulfilment  of  prophecies  ;  3d,  historical 
facts  ;  4th,  internal  marks  of  truth,  and  our  own  con- 
sciences bearing  witness. 

1st.  I  shall  endeavor  to  shew  that  these  miracles  were 
matters  of  fact,  such  as  men's  outward  senses,  their  eyes 
and  ears  might  be  judges  of  2d.  That  they  were  done 
publicly  in  the  face  of  the  world.  3d.  That  not  only 
public  monuments  have  been  kept  up  in  memory  of  them, 
but  outward  actions  have  been  performed.  4th.  That 
such  monuments,  observances  and  actions,  did  commence 
at  the  time  these  miracles  or  matters  of  fact  were  done. 
If  I  can  prove  this,  I  think  that  every  Atheist,  Deist, 
and  unbeliever,  must  give  up  their  doubts. 

1st.  Suppose  that  De  Witt  Clinton,  or  any  other  man, 
jhould  say  and  publish  to  the  world,  that  he  dldyesterdaij, 
by  a  miraculous  power,  divide  the  JVorth  River  in  presence 
of  all  the  inhabitants  oj  Albany,  and  conduct  them  throuork 
ON  DRY  GROUND,  to  Grcenbusli,  the  water  standin<^  like 
walls  on  both  sides  !  It  would  be  absolutely  impossible 
.0  persuade  the  people  of  Albany  that  this  was  true,  be- 
cause every  man,  woman  and  child  would  contradict  it  : 


203  RELIGION. 

and  say  that  it  was  notoriously  false.  It  is  therefore 
manifest  that  no  such  imposition  could  be  put  upon  the 
people  at  the  time  it  was  said  to  have  been  done.  The 
only  way  then  to  get  along  with  this,  is  to  say  that  the 
story  was  invented  some  years  afterwards,  when  the  peo- 
ple were  dead  and  gone,  who  lived  when  the  facts  was 
said  to  be  done.  But  here  my  3d  and  4th  evidences  ro- 
■fute  the  plea.  Suppose  someone  should  say  that  150 
years  ago  De  Witt  Clinton  divided  the  North  River,  and 
all  the  inhabitants  of  Albany  followed  him  through  on 
dry  ground  to  Greenbush,  the  water  standing  like  walls 
on  both  sides  ;  that  it  was  done  on  such  a  particular 
day  and  year,  and  from  that  day  to  this  every  man  and 
child  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  had  a  joint  of  his  little 
finger  cut  off,  that  every  man  in  Albany  now  had  that 
mark  upon  his  hand,  that  this  was  in  commemoration  of 
their  passing  through  the  North  River  in  the  manner 
aforesaid  ;  that  it  was  instituted  at  that  time  and  had  con- 
tinued ever  since  in  memory  of  it.  It  would  be  absolute- 
ly impossible  to  persuade  the  people  of  Albany  to  be- 
lieve this  to  be  true,  because  every  person  could  and 
would  contradict  it. 

JVojo  let  us  compare  this  with  Moses  and  Christ.  Could 
Moses  persuade  600,000  children  of  Israel  to  believe, 
that  he  had  divided  the  Red  Sea,  and  that  they  had  follow- 
ed him  through  the  midst  oj  it  on  dry  ground,  the  water 
standing  like  walls  on  both  sides  ?  That  he  had  fed  them 
with  manna,  and  the  other  matters  of  fact  set  forth  in  his 
books,  if  they  were  not  so  ?  He  could  not  make  them 
believe  it  at  the  time  when  it  was  said  to  have  been  done 
because  every  man,  woman  and  child,  could  and  would 
contradict  him.  But  read  the  1  Ith  chapter  of  Deut. 
from  the  second  to  the  8th  verse,  for,  says  he,  /  speak  not 
with  your  children  which  have  not  known  and  which  have 
not  seen,  fyc. — But  your  ey$s  have  seen  all  the  great  acts  of 
the  Lord  which  he  did,  4*c.  Now  it  would  be  as  impossi- 
ble for  Moses  to  make  the  children  of  Israel  to  believe 
these  things  if  they  were  not  true,  as  it  would  for  De 
Witt  Clinton  or  any  other  person  to  make  the  people  of 
Albany  believe  that  they  had  gone  through  the  North 
River  dry  shod  and  on  dry  ground  if  it  were  not  true 


RELIGION.  20* 

The  most  then  that  caa  be  said  is,  that  these   books  of 
Moses  were  wrote  some  yea.s  after  hira  and  put  out  in 
his  name.     But  this  could  not  ba,  because  they  speak  of 
themselves  as  delivered  by  IMoses  and  kept   in  the   ark 
from  his  time.     Read  the  31st  chapter  of  Deut. — Moses 
himself  made  an  end  of  uriling  them,  and  he  himself  deliv- 
ered them  to  the  Levites,  and  they  were  by  his  order  kept  in 
the  ark  as  the  perpetual  laio  of  that  luople.     Suppose  any 
man  should  now  write  a  book  and  call  it  the  statute   law 
of  New- York,  and  put  it  into  the  library  of  the  Secreta- 
ry of  State,  could  he  make  it  pass  as  the  law  book  of  the 
State  when  they  had  never  seen  it  or  heard  of  it  before  ? 
As  impossible  was  it  for  the   books   of   Moses   to   have 
been    received   for    what  they  declare  themselves  to  be, 
viz.    the  laws   of  that  nation — that  they  had   owned  and 
received  and  been  governed  by   them,   when  they  had 
never  so  much  as  heard  of  them.     Nay,   they   must   in 
an  instant   forget   all  their   former  laws  and  usages  and 
receive  these  as  such  when  they  had  never  heard  of  them 
before  !  Let  me  ask,  was  there   ever   a   book   of  sham 
laws,  which  were  not  the  laws   of  any  people,    palmed 
upon  that  people  as  their  laws  ?  Was  such  a   thing  ever 
done  ?  Why  then  will  they  charge  this  upon  the  Bible  ? 
The  Jews  are  now,  at  this  very  time,  1832,  here  with  us, 
we  know  them,  and    they  are   now  governed   by   these 
very    laws.     But  these  books  not  only   contain  certain 
laws,  but  a  history  of  facts  on  which  these  laws  are  foun- 
ded, viz.  the  Sabbath,  the  Passover,  the  Day   of  Pente- 
cost, &c.  ;  could  any  one  persuade   the   people   of  the 
United  States  lo  believe  that  their  independence  was  not 
declared  on  the  4th  of  July,  1776  ?  No  more  could   we 
persuade  the  Jews   to   believe  that  they   did  not   pass 
through  the  Red  Sea  on   dry   ground,   when   the   water 
stood  like  walls  on  both  sides  ;  that   they  were  not   fed 
with  manna  ;  that  they  were  not  passed  over  when  the 
Egyptians  were  destroyed,  Stc.     The  passing  ofthe  chil- 
dren of  Israel  through  the  River  Jordan  is  not    less  mi- 
raculous than  their  passing  through  the  Red   Sea  :  and 
it  was  done  publicly  in  open  day  light  ;  it  was  a  fact  that 
men's  outward  senses,  their  eyes  and  ears   might   hear 
and  see,  and  of  which  they   might   all  judge,   and   the 

18* 


210  RELIGION. 

stones  set  lip  in  Gilgal  to  commemorate  that  event  re- 
main to  this  day.  Read  the  third  chapter  of  Joshua  9th 
verse,  &ic. 

What  I  have  said  of  Moses  and  the  Jews  in  the  Old 
Testament,  is  equally  true  of  Christ  and  of  Christians  in 
the  New  Testament.  1st.  The  miracles  of  Christ  were 
matters  of  fact,  such  as  men's  outward  senses,  their 
eyes,  ears  and  experience  might  judge  of  2d.  They 
were  done  publicly  in  the  face  of  the  world.  3d.  Pub 
lie  monuments  and  outward  observan-ces  have  been  kept 
up  in  memory  of  them.  4th.  These  observances  did 
commence  at  the  time  the  miracles  were  wrought,  and 
have  been  constantly  kept  up  in  memory  of  them.  Our 
Savior  says,  /  gjmke  openly  to  the  world  and  «i  secret  have 
I  said  nothing.  About  3000  were  converted  at  one  time, 
and  about^OOO  at  another  time, and  it  was  in  consequence 
of  what  they  themselves  had  seen  and  heard,  and  expe- 
rienced :  so  that  the  two  first  rules  are  established,  and 
the  two  second  rules  are  established  by  the  observance 
of  baptism,  and  the  Lord's  Supper  instituted  in  com- 
memoration of  the  miraculous  death,  resurrection  and 
atonement  made  by  our  Saviour  •  also  visibly  to  admit 
us  into  his  family  and  to  continue  us  in  union  with  him 
and  with  one  another.  They  were  instituted  at  the  time 
the  events  took  place,  and  have  been  constantly  observ- 
ed ever  since.  Can  any  one  reasonably  believe  that 
the  whole  Christian  world  would  unite  in  keeping  Christ- 
mas if  Christ  had  never  been  born  ;  in  keeping  Epi-pha- 
mj  if  he  had  never  been  manifested  to  the  Gentiles  :  in 
keeping  Good  Friday  if  he  had  never  been  crucified  ;  in 
keeping  Enster  if  he  had  never  risen  from  the  dead  ;  in 
keeping  Holy  Thursday  if  he  had  never  ascended  in- 
to Heaven  ;  in  keeping  IVhit  Sunday  ii^  the  Holy  Ghost 
had  never  descended  upon  the  Apostles  .'' 

The  Bible  contains  prophecies  of  such  things  as  Om- 
niscience alone  could  foresee  ;  and  such  events  as  Om- 
nipotence aloue  could  accomplish.  Among  many  other 
things,  it  was  foretold  by  Isaiah  expressly,  in  the  7ti) 
chapter.  That  a  virgin  should  conceive  and  bear  a  son,  a7id 
his  name  sluMlli  he  called  Immanuel.  This  was  literally 
and    strictly    fulfilled  in  the    bii^h   of  our   Saviour  742 


RELimoK.  HI 

years  afterwards  :  See  Matthew  i,  23.      In    addition  to 
this,  every  man's  own  conscience,  if  he  will  read  the  Bi- 
ble with  <^dour    and  seriousness,  must  bear  witness  to 
the  truth  of  it.     And  the  effbct  which  it  has  upon  all  na- 
tions who  acknowledge  and  receu'e  it  as  the  standard  of 
their  faith  and  practice  is  a  standing,-,  living,  external  and 
powerful  evidence  of  its  divine    authority.      In  the  Old 
Testament  Moses  was  a  type  of  Christ,  and  the'^Jewish 
Heligion   was  in  all  material   points  a  representation  of 
the  Christian  Religion.      It  was   as  a  light  shining  in  g 
dark  place;  it  was  a  lamp   to  our  feet  and  a  light  to  our 
paths.     What  happened  to  the  Jsws   in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment was    for  our   example  in  the  "New  ;  see  i.  Cor.  x 
G.  and  all   Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and 
is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,   for  correction,  for 
instruction  in   righteousness  ;  that  the  man  of  God  may 
be  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works. 

1st.  In  the  Old  Testament,  Moses  was  born  into  this 
world  for  the  important  purpose  of  redeeming  and  rescu- 
ing the  children  of  Israel  from  the  bondage  of  Pharaoh 
and  the  Egyptians,  and  of  conducting  them  through  fhe 
wilderness  to  the  land  of  Canaan.  In  the  New  Testa- 
ment 1570  years  afterwards,  Jesus  Christ  was  born  into 
this  world  for  the  important  purposQ'  of  redeeming  and 
rescuing  mankind  from  the  bondage  of  Satan,  and  our 
spiritual  enemies,  and  conducting  us  through  the  wilder- 
ness of  this  world  to  the  land  of  everlasting  life  and  hap- 
piness which  is  the  heavenly  Canaan.  2d.  In  the  Old 
Testament  Moses  was  preserved  in  Egypt  when  Phara- 
oh commanded  all  the  male  children  of  Israel  to  be  put 
to  death  lest  he  should  lose  his  kingdom.  In  the  New 
Testament,  1570  years  afterwards,  Josq^ih  and  JMary,  be- 
ing \tarned  in  a  dream,  fled  into  Egypt,  and  Jesus  Christ 
was  preserved  in  the  same  place,  when  Herod  comman- 
ded all  the  male  children  of  Israel,  that  were  two  years 
old  and  under,  to  be  put  to  death,  lest  he  should  lose  his 
kingdom.  3d.  In  the  Old  Testament,  Moses  was 
obliged  to  work  miracles,  and  to  show  signs  and  wonders' 
to  persuade  the  children  of  Israel  to  belijcve  in  him  and 
to  follow  him.  In  the  New  Testament,  Jesus  Christ  was 
obliged  to  work  miracles  and  to  shew  signs  and  wonders 


212  RELIGION. 

to  persuade  mankind  to  believe  in  him  and  to  follow  him. 
4th.  In  the  Old  Te&taraent,  Moses  led  the  children  of 
Israel  through  the  waters  of  the  Red  Sea,  and  they  were 
baptized  unto  him,  and  in  the  cloud  before  they  could  be 
secure  from  Pharaoh  and  his  host.  In  the  New  Testa- 
ment, Jesus  Christ  leads  mankind  through  the  waters 
of  Baptism,  and  we  are  baptized  unto  him  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  before  we  can  be  secure  from  the  power  of  Satan 
and  his  hosts.  5th.  In  the  Old  Testament,  IVIoses  went 
up  into  the  mountain  and  fasted  forty  days  and  forty 
.lights  before  he  delivered  his  ten  commandments.  In 
the  New  Testament,  Jesus  Christ  went  up  into  a  moun- 
iain  and  fasted  forty  days  and  forty  nights  before  he  do- 
tvered  his  beatitudes,  which  are  properly  his  command- 
nents,  in  the  6th  chapter  of  Matthew.  6th.  In  the  Old 
Testament,  Moses  and  the  glory  of  God  were  raanifes- 
ted  to  the  children  of  Israel  in  the  form  of  fire  in  a  burii- 
inj  bush,  when  tliey  could  not  look  upon  him  for  the 
brghtness  of  his  face.  In  the  New  Testament,  Jesus 
Cl.rist  and  the  glory  of  God  were  manifested  to  his  dis- 
ciples in  his  transfiguration  on  the  mount,  when  his  face 
became  like  fire,  above  the  brightness  ot^  the  sun  ;  and 
his  raiment  became  shining  white  so  as  no  fuller  on  earth 
could  white  them.  7th.  In  the  Old  Testament,  the 
children  of  Israel  would  have  famished  in  tiie  wilderness 
with  thirst,  had  it  not  been  for  water  which  Moses  caused 
to  flow  from  a  rock.  In  the  New  Testament,  mankind 
would  famish  in  the  wilderness  of  this  world  with  thirst 
after  spiritual  and  immortal  things,  were  it  not  for  the 
doctrines  of  life  and  salvation  which  flows  from  Jesus 
Christ  and  his  Gospel.  8tli.  In  the  Old  'I'estament, 
the  children  of  Israel  could  not  be  supported  in  theit 
natural  life  till  they  could  arrive  to  the  land  of  oromise, 
without  manna,  which  was  a  peculiar  bread  sent  dour, 
from  Heaven.  In  the  New  Testament  v/e  cannot  be 
supported  in  our  spiritual  life,  and  nonrishedunto  eter- 
nal life  in  the  world  to  come,  without  the  sacraments  of 
the  Lord's  Supper.  Jesus  Christ  says,  I  am  the  bread 
that  came  down  from  Heaven.  This  is  my  body  and 
ibis  is  my  blood.  9th.  In  the  Old  Testame^it,  the  chil- 
Iren  of  Israel  could  not  take  possession  of  the  land   of 


RELIGION.  213 

promise  until   they  passed  the  river  Jordan,  and  the  walls 
of  Jericho  fell  with  the  blowing  of  ram's  horns,  the  sound 
of  trumpets,  a  shout    and  a  great   noise.     In   the  New 
Testament,  we  cannot  take  possession    of  our   land   of 
promise,  of  everlasting  life  and  happiness,  until   we  pass 
the  Jordan  of  death  ;  and  the  walls  of  our  Jericho,  which 
are  our  natural  bodies,  fall   to  the   ground  with   sighs, 
groans  and  convulsive   agonies  of  death.     10th.     In  the 
Old  Testament,  there  arc   twelve    Patriarchs.       In   tho 
New  Testament,   Jesus  Christ  chose  twelve  Apostles. 
1 1th.    In  the  Old  Testament,  Moses  chose   seventy    El- 
ders to  assist  him  in  the  government  of  the  Jewish  Church. 
In  the  New  Testament,  Jesus  Christ  chose  seventy  dis- 
ciples to  assist  him  in  the    government  of  tho    Christian 
Church.     12th.     In  the  Old  Testament,  as  Moses  ap- 
pointed three  separate  and  distinct  orders  of  clergy,  viz. 
High  Priests,  Priests  and  Levites,  in  the  Jewish  Church, 
to  continue  to  the  end  of  that  dispensation.     In  the  New 
Testament,  Jesus  Christ  appointed   three   separate   and 
distinct  orders  of  clergy,  viz.  Bishops,  Priests  and  Dea- 
cons, in  the  Christian  Church,  to  continue  to  the  end  of 
the  world  ;  and  if  you  argue  me  out  of  Episcopacy  you 
argue  me  out  of  Christianity.     13th.     In  the  Old   Tes- 
ment,  as  the  Priesthood  in  the  Jewish  Church  was  trans- 
mitted in  a  direct  uninterrupted  line  of  succession    from 
Aaron  to  Christ.     In  the  New   Testament,  the   Priest- 
hood in  the  Christian  Church  has  and  will  be  transmitted 
in  a  direct  uninterrupted  line  of  succession  from  Christ's 
ascension  into  Heaven,  till  his  second  coming  to  judge 
the  world  in  the  last  day.     14th.     In  the  Old  Testament, 
as  the  Jewish  Church  was   taken  captive,     carried  into 
Babylon,  and  kept  70  years   in   slaveiy.     In   the   New 
Testament,     the    Church    of  England,    the    Episcopal 
Church  in  Germany,  and  elsewhere,   have   been   taken 
captive  by  the  Roman  Catholics,  carried  into  Babylonish 
and  Popish  darkness,  and  kept  for  many  years  in  slavery, 
loth.     In  the  Old  Testament  as  the  Jewish  Church  was 
preserved  and  restored  to  its  former  glory.     In  the  New 
Testament,  the  Episcopal  Church  was  preserved  through 
the  dark  ages  of  Popery  ;  and  at  the  reformation  restor- 
ed to  its  former  glory.     1 6th.     In  the   Old    Testament, 


214  RELIGION. 

as  Korah,  Dathan,  and  Abiram,  rose  up  against  the  es- 
tablished Priesthood  in  the  Jewish  Church,  under  a  vain 
pretence  that  all  the  congregation  were  holy  and  puro, 
as  is  contain-cd  in  the  Ifith  chapter  of  Numbers.  In 
the  New  I'estament,  Oliver  Cromwell,  and  his  250  Pu- 
ritan members  of  Parliament,  more  or  less,  icho  were 
fjvinccs  m  the  assembly,  famous  in  the  congregation,  men  of 
renown,  rose  up  against  the  established  Priesthood  in 
the  Christian  "Church  under  the  same  vain  pretence  that 
they  were  more  holy  and  pure,  and  hence  they  were 
called  Puritans.  17th.  In  the  Old  Testament,  as  the 
earth  opened  her  mouth  and  swallowed  them  up  alive, 
and  all  that  appertained  to  them.  In  the  New  Testa- 
ment, Oliver  Cromwell,  and  his  associates,  died  a  miser- 
able death  ;  his  250  members  of  parliament  came  to 
nothing  ;  the  ground,  in  one  sense,  opened  her  mouth 
and  swallowed  them  up  alive,  and  all  that  appertained  to 
them.  Fire  came  out  from  the  Lord  and  consumed  one 
party..  The  fire  of  enthusiasm  and  delusion  consumed 
these,  and  still  continues  to  consume  the  sectaries,  who 
follow  their  example. 

From  the  building  of  the  tower  of  Babel,  what  doGr 
trine,  what  reproof,  what  correction  and  instruction  are 
we  to  gain  }  It  happened  for  our  example  :  They,  not 
contented  with  the  way  of  salvation  prescribed  by  the 
Almighty,  undertook  to  build  a  tower  of  their  own,  and 
to  climb  up  to  Heaven  in  their  own  way  ;  but  their 
tongues  were  divided,  they  were  scattered,  and  where 
are  they  }  In  the  New  Testament,  people  now,  not  con- 
tented with  the  way  of  life  and  salvation,  as  prescribed 
by  the  Almighty  in  the  Episcopal  Church,  which  is  es- 
tablished by  divine  wisdom,  in  conformity  to  the  pattern 
under  the  Jewish  dispensation,  have  separated  from  this 
ancient  and  universal  Church,  are  building  to  themselves 
towers  of  Babel  ;  their  tongues  are  divided  ;  there  are 
no  two  of  them  that  have  ihe  same  prayer,  the  same 
psalm,  the  same  portions  of  scripture,  the  same  worship 
at  the  same  time  :  and  if  you  could  hear  them  all  at 
once,  there  is  nothing  below  the  heavenly  world  that 
would  resemble  the  builders  of  the  tower  of  Babel  so 
much  as  they  would.     And  where  are   they  ?  Scattered 


MEMOIRS,  216 

upnn  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  their  tongues  are  still 
rlividcd.  But  in  tlie  ancient  Episcopal  and  universal 
church,  are  their  tongs-ies  divided  ?  No  :  this  is  like  n 
city  at  unity  in  itself ;  the  Kins;'' s  daughter  (^that  is,  the 
true  church)  is  all  glorious  within — see  the  45th  psalm  ; 
they  all  speak  the  same  things  at  the  same  time  ;  they 
all  have  th^  same  prayers,  for  God  is  always  the  same, 
and  the  general  wants  of  all  mankind  are  always  the 
same  ;  they  all  have  the  same  psalms  ;  they  all  have  the 
same  portions  of  scripture  ;  they  all  have  the  same  wor- 
ship at  the  same  time  ;  and  if  you  could  hear  them  all 
at  once,  like  a  column  of  incense,  their  united  devotions 
would  ascend  to  heaven  ;  and  God,  who  is  a  God  of  or- 
der, and  not  of  confusion,  would  grant  them  a  favora- 
ble acceptance  ;  this  is  the  Holy  Catholic  Church  ;  the 
General  Assembly  and  Church  of  the  first  born  in  earth 
and  in  heaven. 

I  mean  not  to  insult,  nor  to  offend  any  one,  but  in  the 
bowels  of  mercy  an^  kindness,  I  beseech  each  one  for 
himself  to  stop,  pause,  think  and  consider  what  I  have 
said  on  the  case  of  Moses  and  Christ,  on  the  Jewish  and 
Christian  Church,  on  Korah  and  his  company,  and  Oli- 
ver Cromwell  and  his  company,  on  the  tower  of  Babel, 
and  the  separation  from  the  Episcopal  Church.  I  ask 
your  consciences;  I  ask  you  in  the  love  and  fear  of  God, 
are  these  things  so  ?  I  might  mention  the  case  of  Nadab 
and  Abihu,  who  burnt  incense  with  strange  fire,  and  the 
fire  came  out  from  the  Lord  and  consumed  them.  I 
might  mention  the  case  of  Micah,  of  Jeroboam,  of  Saul 
and  others.  The  children  of  Israel,  in  passing  through 
the  wilderness  to  the  land  of  promise,  were  designed  to 
represent  us  in  passing  through  the  wilderness  of  this 
world  to  the  land  of  everlasting  life  and  happiness,  and 
what  happened  to  them  \fas  for  our  instruction  and  admo- 
nilioii. 

ON  THE  AITTHORIIY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

When  our  forefathers  first  came  to  this  country,  they 
r.ame  from  England  ;  and  when  they  came  from  England 
:hey  came  fm;.'  the  Church  of  England^  and  were  disscn- 


2i«  RELIGION. 

ters  from  that  Church  ;  and  the  common  apology  is  that 
they  had  as  much  right  to  separate  from  them  as  they 
had  to  separate  from  the  Church  of  Rome  ;  but  this  is 
not  the  truth  !  taking  it  for  granted,  that  the  sentiments 
contained  in  my  letter  to  Gov.  Wolcott,  page  136,  are 
correct  and  true,  viz.  that  no  one  can  lawfully  act  in  the 
name  of  another,  without  his  authority,  I  proceed  to  re- 
mark that  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  was  like  Moses,  a 
lawgiver,  and  expressly  declared  that  he  had  all  power  in 
heaven  and  in  earth.  This  he  proved  by  the  four  great 
evidences  of  the  truth  of  Christianity,  viz.  1st.  Mira- 
cles; 2d,  Fulfilment  of  Prophecies  ;  3d,  Historical  facts  ; 
4th,  Internal  Marks  of  Truth.  With  this  authority  he 
commissioned  his  Apostles  to  go  into  all  the  world,  to 
preach  the  Gospel,  that  is,  the  good  news  of  life  and 
salvation,  to  every  creature,  to  baptize  all  nations  ;  and 
promised  to  continue  with  them  always,  even  unto  the 
end  of  the  world  ;  and  that  the  gates  of  hell  should 
never  prevail  against  them.  With  this  commission  they 
went  forth  into  different  parts  of  the  world,  among  the 
different  nations  of  the  earth,  under  different  forms  of 
civil  government,  where  they  spoke  different  languages, 
and  among  them  planted  the  Christian  Religion  and  the 
Christian  Church,  in  exact  conformity  to  the  Jewish  re- 
ligion and  Church  in  the  Old  Testament ;  only  that  one 
was  a  representation  of  the  other,  as  Moses  himself  was 
to  represent  Christ.  The  Apostles  and  their  successors 
were  soon  called  Bishops,  and  were  in  answer  to  the 
High  Priests  in  the  Jewish  Church.  The  Elders  were 
soon  called  Priests,  and  were  in  answer  to  the  Priests 
in  the  Jewish  Church,  and  the  Deacons  were  ordained 
Ministers,  and  were  in  answer  to  the  Levites. 

Heylyn,  in  his  Cosmography,  which  is  a  book  that  I 
never  have  heard  doubted,  and  is  as  much  to  be  relied 
on  as  any  other  book  of  human  composition,  says  in  the 
third  page,  folio  : 

"  I  have  taken  more  especial  notice  of  the  ancient  and 
**  present  face  of  Christianity  in  all  parts  of  the  world  ; 
"  the  planting  and  government  of  the  Churches,  the 
**  heterodoxies  and  opinions  of  the  several  sects  into 
"  which  it  doth  now   stand   dismembered  ;  by  which   it 


RELIGION.  j(7 

"  will  appear  most  clearly,  among  other  things,  that  the 
"  doctrine  and  goverment  of  the  Church  are  of  equal 
"  sfandins;;  that  this  government  was  no  other  than  that 
"  of  Bishops,  and  that  wherever  Christianitj  did  find 
"  any  admittance,  Episcopacy  was  also  admitted  as  a 
"  part  (hereof.  The  Gcspel  being  in  most  places  first 
"  preached  by  Bishops  or  growing  to  esteem  and  strength 
*'  under  their  authority.  And  it  is  found,  upon  these  re- 
"  s«jarches,  that  Episcopacy  is  coeval  with  the  Churcn 
"  itself. 

These  are  the  words  of  one  of   the    most  learned  and 
pious  men  in  the  world  ;  a   man   whose   truth    I   never 
have  heard  called  in  question.     St.  Peter  was    the   first 
Bishop  of  Rome,  where  he  was  crucified,  with  his   head 
downward,  by  the  cruel  edict  of  Nero,  A.  D,    69.     St. 
James  was  the  first   Bishop    in    Jerusalem,   and    finally 
sealed  the  truth  of  his  religion   by  being  beheaded  there 
under  the  ouder  of  Herod.     St.    Andrew    was   the    first 
Bishop  in  Greece,  where  lie   was  finally  crucified   under 
the  edict  of  JEgeas:   his  cross  v/as  not  in   the    common 
form,  viz.  a  post  %et  in  the  ground  and  a  beam   or  stick 
across  the  top  of  it,  with  the  hands  nailed    to    each    end 
of  the  stick,  and  the  feet  crossed  and  nailed  to  the  post  ; 
but  his  cross  was  in  the  form  of  an   X,    with  one    hand 
nailed  to  each  end  of  the  stake,  and    his    feet    e.vtended 
and  nailed  to  each  post  below  :  and  for  this  reason  an  X 
has  always  been  callini  St.  Andrew's  cross.     It  might  be 
usefiil  and  enti-rtaining  to  give  an  account  of  the  life,  la- 
bors, settlement  and  death  of  each  of  the   Apostles,  who 
were  tlie  tirst  Bishops  of  the  Church — but  this  cannot  be 
done  without  going  beyond  my  limits,   which  I  have    e.v- 
ceeded  already.     St.  John  was  the  first  Bishop  in  Asia: 
St.  Mark  and  St.  Luke    went  into    Africa  :  St.    Thomas 
went  into  the  East  Indies,    and   on   his   way    planted   a 
Church  in  Syria,  which  has  remained  there  from  that  day 
to  this,  not  knowing  that  there  were  any  other  people  in 
the  world  vvho   professed    Christianity   but   themselves  ; 
and  no  other  people  k.iew  of  them. — They  were  discov- 
ered a  few  years  since  by  the  Rev.  Claudius  Buchanan, 
who  was  an  Episcopal  IVlissionary  ;  and  to  his  unspeak- 
able joy,  he  found  that  in  all  material  points  of  govern- 

19 


MS  REUGION. 

yr^ent  or  authority,  of  Doctrine  and  of  Worship,  they 
agreed  with  the  Church  of  England.  This  is  one  of 
the  most  extraordinary  and  interesting  discoveries  which 
has  been  made  within  500  years.  It  is  a  plain  and  unde- 
niable evidence  of  the  truth  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
in  consequence  of  it,  one  of  the  most  learned  and  dis- 
tinguished characters  in  the  state  of  New-York  and  in 
the  United  States,  has  declared  in  favor  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  says,  if  he  had  no  other  proof  than 
this  Syrian  Church,  it  would  satisfy  his  mind.  St.  Paul 
was  the  first  Bishop  in  England.  Mason  and  Lindsay 
Riy,  tnat  ne  came  ttiere  A.  D.  59.  The  general  account 
and  opinion  is,  that  he  first  preached  the  Gospel  in  a  place 
then  called  Avingnon,  nnd  which  is  now  Cdilled  Glaston- 
bury. He  continued  his  ministry  in  England  and  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  Europe  and  in  Asia,  for  35  years,  when 
he  returned  to  Rome  and  was  beheaded  there,  by  a  cru- 
el edict  of  the  bloody  Nero,  in  the  68th  year  of  his 
age. 

The  Church  of  England  being  thus  founded  and  es- 
tablished, not  by  St.  Peter,  but  by  St.*  Paul,  continued 
in  union  and  prosperity  with  the  other  churches.  Her 
jiishops  attended  their  meetings  and  Councils,  The 
Church  of  Rome  was  at  this  time  as  pure  as  any  other 
At  this  time  there  was  no  such  thing  as  Popery  ;  the 
Bishop  of  Rome  claimed  no  superiority,  he  exer- 
cised no  superiority.  But  in  the  year  606,  Phoc  as 
invested  the  Bishop  of  Rome  with  civil  authority  ; 
and  then  he  ivas  not  only  Bishop,  but  Emperor  of 
thi  whole  Roman  Empire:  and  it  was  this  union  ojt 
Church  and  State  which  began  and  constituted 
Popery.  In  607  he  sent  St.  Austin  into  England,  and 
demanded  that  the  Bishop  of  England  should  submit  to 
the  Bishop  of  Rome,  as  the  head  of  the  Universal 
Church,  as  Bishop  over  all  other  Bishops.  This  was 
A.  D.  607  The  Bishop  of  England  declared,  that  he 
never  so  much  as  heard  that  the  Bishop  of  Rome  ever 
pretended  to  have  any  authority  in  England  before  ;  and 
wholly  refused  to  submit,  St,  Austin  returned  to  Rome, 
and  two  years  after,  viz.  609,  he  came  over  the  second 
>iroc^  and  then  engaged  Ethelbcit,  King  of  the   Saxons, 


RELIGION.  219 

fo  wage  war  with  the  ancient  Britons,  and  to  compel 
them  by  force  and  arms  to  submit  ;  some  fled  to  Wales, 
and  some  to  one  place,  and  some  to  anotlier.  At  Icngtli 
they  aiirccd  to  acknowledge  the  supremacy  of  the  Bish- 
op of  Rome,  and  to  pay  whut  is  called  the  Peler  pence  ; 
but  still  thoy  retained  their  own  Bishops  and  Clergy, 
taught  their  own  doctrines,  and  performed  their  own  ser- 
vice ;  but  as  the  superiority  of  the  Bishop  of  Rome  was 
now  acknowledgcd,his  innovations  and  corruptions  would 
and  did  prevail  in  England  ;  still  there  appears  to  have 
been  on  the  part  of  the  ancient  Britons,a  constant  opposi- 
tion to  the  Bishop  of  Rome,  and  to  his  pretensions.  Fre- 
quently one,  and  then  another  would  dare  to  lift  up  his 
voice,  but  were  soon  put  down  ;  till  at  length  Henry  the 
8th,  King  of  England,  became  disgusted  with  the  pre- 
tensions of  the  Bishop  of  Rome,  and  protected  Crammer. 
Ridley  and  Latimer,  three  of  the  best  Bishops  in  the 
Kingdom,  in  rejecting  the  authorTty  of  the  Bishop  of 
Rome,  and  in  reducing  the  Church  of  Eiigland  to  what  it 
was  before  he  had  any  authority  in  England,  and  bejoi^e 
diere  toas  any  such  thing  as  Popery  in  the  world.  This  is 
what  is  meant  by  the  reformation!  and  now  we  an 
told  that  our  forefathers  had  as  much  right  to  separat"- 
from  the  Church  of  England  as  they  had  to  separat; 
from  the  Church  of  Rome  !  What  a  vain  pretence  !  Th 
Church  of  England  was  of  divine  origin,  it  was  of  divine 
authority,  established  by  St,  Paul  ;  handed  down  by  a 
direct,  uninterrupted  line  of  succession,  through  the  dark 
ages  of  Popery,  as  the  Jewish  Church  was  through  the 
dark  ages  of  Babylonish  captivity  ;  that  Church  was  re- 
stored to  its  former  glory  ]  this  Church  is  restored  to  its 
former  glory,  and  yet  our  forefathers  would  and  did  sep- 
arate ;  but  on  what  grounds  ?  Was  it  because  they  had 
no  authority  ?  No,  certainly  not  ;  for  if  the  Church  of 
England  be  nothing,  and  they  came  from  nothing  ;  then 
they  must  be  nothing,  ex  7iihilo  nihil  fit  ;  i.  c.  naught  from 
naught  and  there  remains  naught.  Was  it  because  their 
doctrine  was  either  dishonorable  to  God,  or  hurtful  to 
man,  or  contrary  to  the  scriptures  ?  Nothing  of  this  can 
be  made  to  appear.  Was  it  because  the  worship  was 
not  founded  upon  the  authority   of  God's  word,  because 


2»  RELIOICN. 

it  did  not  breathe  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel,  because  it  wasi 
not  in  unison  with  the  rest  of  the  Christian  world?  Noth- 
ing of  all  this  is  claimed, is  even  pretended.  But  the  pre- 
tence of  separation  was  that  they  were  more  holy  and 
more  pure  than  other  folks,  and  hence  they  were  called 
Pw-ilans  ;  but  their  purity  did  not  consist  in  hohling  the 
faith,  in  tiie  unity  of  the  spirit,  or  in  the  bond  of  peace, 
or  in  more  righteousness  of  life  than  other  folks.  So 
soon  as  they  got  the  upper  hand  they  murdered  Charles 
the  first,  who,  in  many  respects,  was  one  of  tlie  best 
Kings  that  ever  sat  on  the  throne  of  England.  Oliver 
Cromwell  was  proclaimed  Lord  Protector.  The  Bishops 
and  clergy  were  all  banished  out  of  the  kingdom  ; 
Charles  the  second  fled  to  Frnnce  and  elsewhere,  a  law 
was  made,  inflicting  fine,  imprisonment,  and  even  confis- 
cation on  any  one  who  should  be  detected  in  using  the 
book  of  Common  Prayer,  in  any  church  or  chapel,  pri- 
vate house  or  family.  For  the  first  time,  ho  was  to  be 
fined  five  pounds  sterling,  for  the  2d  time  lO  pounds,  and 
for  the  3d  time  to  be  imprisoned  one  whole  year  and  all 
his  property  confiscated.  The  kingdom  was  thrown  into 
confusion,  and  civil  war,  the  most  dreadful  of  all  wars 
ensued.  At  length  Charles  the  second  uhis  restored,  the 
Bishops  and  Clergy  were  recalled,  the  Puritans  fled  to 
America  and  elsewhere,  and  peace  was  restored.  Goff* 
and  Di.xwcll,  two  of  the  pretended  judges  of  Charles  the 
First,  lived,  and  were  supported  and  protected  in  a  cave 
just  west  of  New-Haven,  in  Connecticut,  and  within  a 
few  miles  of  where  I  was  born. 

Blackstone,  in  his  commentaries,  4th  vol.  page  104, 
says,  "that  the  ancient  British  church,  teas  a  stranger 
to  the  Bishop  of  Rome,  and  to  all  his  pretended  authority y 
And  in  page  103,  speaking  of  the  Puritan  zeal,  says, 
*' the  dreadful  effects  of  such  a  religious  bigotry,  when 
actuated  by  erroneous  principles,  even  of  the  Protestant 
kind,  are  sufiiciontly  evident  from  the  history  of  the  Ana- 
baptists in  Germany,  the  Covenanters  in  Scotland,  and 
that  deluge  of  sectaries  in  England,  who  murdered  their 
sovereign,  overturned  llie  church  and  Monarchy,  shook  ev-r 
ery  pillar  of  law,  justice  and  private  property,  and  most 
devoutly . established  a  kingdom  of  Saints  in   their  slead.^' 


RELIGION.  221 

The  very  same  spirit  dictated  the  blue  laios  of  Connectt- 
nd  ;  murdered  the  Quakers  in  Salem,  in  Massachusetts  ; 
fastened  Roijer  Williams  and  his  friends  to  the  tail-ends: 
of  ox-carts  and  whipped  tiiem  and  the  Baptists  out  of 
Bosfon.  The  same  disposition  fined  and  imprisoned  the 
Rev.  Mr.  White,  in  Windham,  in  Connecticut  ;  silenced 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Robbiiis  of  Rranford,  for  more  than  20 
years,  without  liearirig  or  trial  ;  divided  and  broke  up 
their  own  church  ia  Walimgford  ;  persecuted  me  for 
almost 20  years,  and  finally  on  the  charge  of  crimes  said 
to  have  been  committed  in  Griswold,  when  I  was  not 
within  100  miles  of  the  place,  and  by  suppressing  my 
testimony,  refusing  to  send  for  witnesses,  overruling  the 
law  of  evidence,  admitting  a  perjured  person  and  a  ly- 
ing, thievish  negro  to  testify,  I  was  actually  condemned 
and  imprisoned  for  two  whole  years,  and  deprived  of 
almost  every  thing  which  could  make  life  desirable. 

If  we  take  a  geographical  view  of  every  part  of  the 
habitable  world,  where  shall  we  find  any  nation  or  coun- 
try which  have  embraced  the  christian  fafih,  or  do  now 
embrace  it  ;  where  the  Episcopal  Church  has  not  been 
received  and  acknowledged  as  the  true  medium  through 
which  we  must  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  glory?  almost 
as  universally  as  the  Bible  has  been  received,  so  univer- 
sally has  the  government  of  the  Christian  .Church  by 
Bishops,  as  the  successors  of  the  Apostles,  as  superiors 
to  the  Presbyters,  been  received  and  acknowledged. 
The  Episcopal  Church  is  now  and  always  has  been  the 
religion  of  JVorwav,  Denmark  and  Sweden,  of  Iceland 
and  Greenland  of  Germany,  Prussia  and  the  whole  Rus- 
sian Empire,  of  Ausfria,  Bohemia,  Hungary  and  Po- 
land, of  Portugal,  Spain,  France  and  Italy.  The  Roman 
Catholics  are.  Episcopalians,  perform  the  same*  service 
that  we  do,  and  a  great  deal  more  tvhich  xce  say  is  idola- 
trous, superstitious  and  anii-christian.  The  Greek  Church 
in  Turkey, in  Europe,  andin  Asia  is  an  Episcopal  Church 
The  Lutherans  are  Episcopalians,  and  so  are  the  Meth- 
odists. England,  Ireland  and  a  great  part  of  Scotland 
are  Episcopalians.  The  East  Indies,  the  West  Indies 
and  a  great  part  of  the  United  States  are  Episcopalians; 
and  yet  James  Lanman,a  county  attorney  in  Connecticut, 


tH  RELIGION. 

could  say  in  1820,  that  the  Episcopal  Church  was  only 
Hie  pretended  Christian  Hdigion,  the  Superior  Court  said 
it  was  true,  and  I  was  persecuted  in  New-London  Coun- 
ty, and  imprisoned  two  years  for  preaching  this  Religion. 
But  let  any  man  take  a  map  of  the  world,  and  put  bis 
finger  upon  any  part  of  tne  habitable  globe  where  the 
Christian  Religion  has  been  received  and  acknowledgd, 
and  there  the  Episcopal  Church  has  also  been  received 
and  acknowledged  as  a  part  of  it.  I  appeal  to  every  man 
of  common  science,  truth  and  candor  as  a  witneps  of  the 
truth  of  what  T  say llecause  there  are  some  Republi- 
cans in  England,  it  will  not  be  correct  to  say  that  Eng- 
and  is  a  Republic.  Because  there  are  some  monarchists 
in  the  United  States,  it  will  not  be  correct  to  say  that 
they  are  a  Monarchy.  Because  there  ave  some  Presby- 
terians and  others  in  Europe,  and  because  there  are 
some  Congregational  Presbyterians  and  others  in  Con- 
necticut and  elsewhere,  it  will  not  be  correct  to  say  that 
the  Christian  Church  is  not  an  Episcopal  Chuich.  Of 
all  the  different  denominations  and  persuasions,  we  know 
the  time  when  they  began  :  we  knov/  the  place  where 
they  began  ;  and  we  know  the  persons  by  whom  they  be- 
gan. Now  let  any  one  do  this  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
short  of  Moses  and  Aaron  in  the  Jewish  Church,  and 
short  of  our  Saviour  and  his  Apostles  in  the  Christian 
Church,  and  the  controversy  will  be  at  an  end.  This  is 
a  fair  offer — it  is  a  fair  challenge  : — We  name  every 
High  Priest  in  succession^  from  Aaron  to  Christ,  and  ev- 
ery Bishop  from  Christ  m»  succession  to  the  present  day. 
He  has  been  with  them  always,  and  the  gates  of  hell, 
according  to  divine  promise,  have  liot  prevailed.  How 
do  we  know  that  the  Bible,  which  we  acknoweldge  and 
use,  is  the  same  which  was  used  a  thousand  years  ago  ? 
I  answer,  because  it  has  been  acknowledged,  received 
and  used  as  such  in  all  parts  of  the  world  ;  there  abvays 
have  been  some  who  would  not  acknowledi^e  its  divine 
authority  nor  submit  to  its  injunction.-?.  How  do  we 
know  that  the  Ejiiscopal  Church  is  the  true  Church  of 
Christ  ^  I  answer,  because  it  has  been  acknowledged, 
received  and  used  as  such  in  all  parts  of  the  world  ; — 
theie  always  have  been  some   sectaries  who  v/ould  not 


REUGION.  22S 

acknowledge  its  authority,  nor  subir'i  to  its  ordinarjces  ; 
but  this  does  .':ot  prove  the-  Church  to  be  vvroiig.  If  any 
denomination  can  trace  their  authority,  as  tlie  Episco- 
palians can,  v/e  are  willirifj  to  give  t.ein  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship.  And  think  not,  I  beseech  you,  that  this  is  v. 
matter  of  sraail  ccnsequenci;  ;  for  us  is  our  ai:Lhority^ 
Fuch  must  be  our  administrations  :  and  he  who  departs 
from  the  government  or  ai^thoiity  of  any  society  does: 
ipso  facto,  i.  e.  by  that  very  act,  depart  from  the  society 
itself.  If  the  Episcopal  government  of  the  Christian 
Church  be  its  true  government — if  the  uiiihority  to 
preach,  to  baptize,  to  administer  the  sacrancvt,  &c.  was 
given  to  that  Church,  and  has  been  transmitted  to  iis  by 
a  succeesion  in  that  Chu  ch,  it  must  be  evident  tht.t  it  's 
dangerous  to  depart  from  that  Church  ;  and  that  it  is  the 
duty  and  interest,  yea,  the  immortal  inteiest  of  every  one 
to  return  to  that  Church  from  which  neither  they  nor 
their  fathers  ojght  ever  to  hfive  sepF.rated.  These  are 
the  since/e  scitiments  of  my  heart  ;  and  I  beseech  the 
reader  not  to  think  me  his  enemy,  bacause  I  am  not  a 
hypocrite  ;  because  I  do  not  ask  his  friendship  at  the 
dreadful  expense  of  every  thing  v/hich  may  be  valuable 
to  an  immortal  s(;il.  If  I  be  mistaken  I  pray  God  and 
you,  and  the  whole  world  to  forgive  me.  My  excuse  is 
that  I  have  carefully  examined  the  case  in  the  fear  of 
God  ;  I  have  read  and  prayed,  and  inquired  ;  and  the 
result  is,  that  I  do  helieve  the  Episcopal  Church  to  be 
of  divine  authority  ^  that  in  if  the  sacraments  are  rightly 
and  truly  administered  ;  th-  t  the  means  of  divine  grace 
are  in  it  truly  dispensed  ;  that  the  doctrines  are  in  every 
point  of  view  honorable  to  God,  useful  to  man,  and 
agreeable  to  scriptures  ;  that  the  worship  is  founded 
upon  the  authority  )i' God's  word,  is  edifying  and  agree- 
able to  the  be.«t  reason  o^  mankind,  and  is  in  unison 
with  the  rest  of  the  Christian  world  :  for  these  reasons 
J  am  a  clairchnan,  and  for  these  reasons  I  have  endeav- 
ored to  instruct  and  persuade  others. 

THE  DOCTRINES  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

These  arc  contained  in  the  holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old 


•M  RELIGION. 

and  New  Te?*atnpnt,  and  are  summed  up  in  the  Apos- 
tles' Creed,  vi  :.  We  believe  in  God  the  Father,  who  has 
made  us  and  all  the  world — We  believe  in  God  the  Son 
who  has  redeemed  us  and  all  mankind — and  we  believe  in 
God  the  Holy  Ghost  who  sanctifies  us  and  all  the  people 
of  God.  The  very  foundation  of  the  Christian  Religion, 
is  the  reconciliation  of  a  fallen,  wicked,  degenerate 
world  of  mankind  to  the  favor  of  God  the  Father,  by  the 
death  and  propitiation  of  God  the  Son  ;  thro'  the  sancti- 
fying influence  cf  God  the  Holy    Ghost. 

For  about  1600  years  the  £p.  Ch.  of  Eng.  had  existed 
without  any  other  articles  of  religion  than  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, the  creeds  and  the  different  officers  of  the  Church 
But  when  our  forefathers  were  about  separating,  the  39 
articles  were  prepared,  composed  and  adopted,  with  a  de- 
signed latitude  to  embrace  the  Dissenters,  and  if  possible 
to  prevent  their  separation,  and  to  guard  the  Church 
against  the  Roman  Catholics.  There  were  then  and  are 
now,  FIVE  POINTS  OP  DOCTRINE  in  whicli  our  forefathers 
differed  materially  from  the  Church  of  England. 

1st.  They  held  that  God  Almighty  had  from  all  eterni- 
ty elected  one  part  of  mankind  to  everlasting  life  and 
happiness  in  the  other  world,  without  any  regard  to  their 
conduct  in  this  ;  and  that  he  had  in  the  same  manner 
passed  by  and  foreordained  all  the  rest  to  everlasting 
death  and  misery.  In  their  Confession  of  Faith,  as  re- 
vised and  agreed  upon  in  Philadelphia,  1821,  page  16, 
are  these  words,  viz.  "  By  the  decree  of  God  for  the 
manifestation  of  his  glory,  some  men  and  angels  are  pre- 
destinated unto  everlasting  life,  and  others  are  Joreordain- 
ed  to  everlasting  death.,  and  these  men  and  angels  thus 
predestinated  and  thus  foreordained  are  particularly  and 
unchangeably  designed,  and  their  number  is  so  certain 
and  definite  that  it  cannot  be  either  increased  or  dimin- 
ished ;  and  all  of  his  mere  free  grace  and  love,  without 
any  foresight  of  faith,  or  good  works,  or  perseverance  in 
either  of  tliem,  or  any  thing  else  in  the  creature  as  con- 
ditions or  causes  moving  him  thereunto." 

The  Episcopal  Church  has  always  denied  this  doctrine 
and  held  and  taught,  that  God  Almighty  has  determined, 
from  all  eternity,  to  bestow  everlasting  life  and  happiness 


RELIGION.  2tt 

after  death,  upon  all  those  in  every  iiation,  country,  lan- 
guage and  peisiiasion,  under  Heaven,  who,  in  this  life, 
shall  live  in  obedience  to  his  holy  laws  and  die  in  that 
faith  ;  and  that  he  never  will  inflict  everlasting  death 
upon  any,  except  those  who  live  in  sin  and  die  without 
reprntance. 

They  say  in  the  321st  page  of  their  Confession,  re-, 
printed  in  Utica,  \Q2'i,  "  That  the  decrees  of  God  aro 
his  eternal  purpose,  according  to  the  counsel  of  his  will, 
whereby  for  his  own  glory  he  hath  foreordained  whatso- 
ever comes  to  pass."  We  say,  if  nothing  can  come  to 
pass  but  what  is  according  to  God's  will,  and  for  his  glo- 
ry, then  there  can  be  no  sin  in  the  world,  iinless  it  he  a 
sin  to  do  God's  tvill ;  they  need  no  repentance,  they  need 
no  Saviour,  for  they  are  as  pure  as  ihe  angels  themselves; 
flor  they  can  do  no  more  than  to  do  every  thing  accord- 
ing to  the  counsel  of  God's  n'ill,  and  for  his  glory  !  We 
believe  that  God  Almighty  has  from  all  eternity  freely 
and  unchangeably  foreordained  and  decreed  his  own  ac- 
tions, i.  e.  that  he  will,  in  one  way  or  another,  either 
here  or  hereafter,  reward  virtue  and  punish  vice  ;  but 
■we  do  not  believe  that  he  has  decreed  all  the  actions  of 
all  his  creatures,  and  then  that  he  will  punish  them  eter- 
nally for  doing  that  which  he  had  decreed  they  should 
do  and  which  was  according  to  the  counsel  of  his  will, 
and  for  his  own  glory.  * 

2d.  They  held  that  Jesus  Christ  never  died  for  more 
than  one  part  of  mankind,  and  that  he  never  redeemed 
any  but  the  elect  only.  Therefore,  they  ask  in  their 
catechism,  Did  God  leave  ail  mankind  to  perish  .'  Ans. 
God,  having  out  of  his  mere  good  pleasure,  from  all  eter- 

*"If  ill!  tilings' succeed,  as?  rjtwr.ys  decreerl, 

And  llmt  Fate  and  !)esllny  lulo  us; 
Tlien  to  preacli  and  to  praj ,  is  tunc  ihrowii  away 

And  our  teacljois  da  iiotliiug  but  fool  us; 
But  if  by  freewill,  no  can  go  or  stand  still, 

As  best  suits  each  present  occiusion, 
Then  fill  up  tiie  glass,  and  cdl  him  an  Ass, 
Who  stands  on  Predesti.:atioii. 
Amen,  so  be  it." 
N(i  son  or  daughter  of  Adain,  can  lx>  jnsily  l>lamed  for   not   doing  tha» 
•'•»ich  God  nevei'  put  it  intoiiicir  power  to  do;  or  fjr  doing  tint   which   ia 
iKvrlv  out  of  their  power  to  avoid  doing. 

^i^Wlici-c  tlwre  is  no  free  agency,  ilicre  ia  no  accountability. 


228  RELIGION. 

nity,  elected  some  to  everlasting  life,  did  onter  into  a  cove- 
nant of  grace,  to  deliver  them  out  of  the  estate  of  sin 
and  misery,  and  to  bring  them  into  a  state  of  salvation  by 
a  Redeemer.  And  in  the  19th  page  of  their  Confession 
they  say  expressly,  "  JYeUher  are  amj  other  redeemed  by 
Chnst,  effectuallij  called,  justified,  adopted,  sanctified  and 
saved,  but  the  elect  only  ;"  and  they  are  elected  withoul 
any  foresight  of  faith,  obedience,  or  good  works  or  any 
thing  else. 

In  answer,  the  Episcopal  Church  holds  that  Jesus 
Christ  has  tasted  death  for  every  one  :  that  he  made  a 
propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  wotld.  In  the  com- 
munion service  we  say,  "  That  Jesus  Christ,  who  made 
there,  by  his  one  oblation  of  himself,  once  offered,  a  full, 
perfect  and  sufficient  sacrifice,  oblation  and  satisfaction 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world  ;"  and  that  every  son  and 
daughter  of  the  human  race,  is  now  put  into  such  a  sit- 
uation that  they  may  obtain  eternal  life  and  happiness  is 
the  other  world,  if  they  will  only  use  the  means  which 
God  has  in  great  mercy  provided  for  them,  in  and 
through  the  death  and  sufferings  of  his  own  Son  in  thi » 
world 

3«i.  1  hey  noirt  that  mankind  are  now,  notwithstand- 
ing all  th»t  Christ  has  donn  and  suffered  for  them,  totally 
depraved  ;  that  they  are  wholly  inclined  to  all  kind  of 
evil,  and  entirely  disabled  to  all  kind  of  good  ;  that  they 
are  utterly  indisposed,  disabled  and  made  opposite  to  all 
good,  and  wholly  incUned  to  all  evil.  In  answer,  the  Epis- 
copal Church  holds  that  since  Jesus  Christ  is  the  light 
which  lighteth  every  man  that  comsthinto  the  world  ;  since 
the  manifestation  of  the  spirit  is  given  to  every  man  to 
profit  withal,  no  son  nor  daughter  of  the  human  race  is 
now  so  depraved  but  that  he  may  comply  with  the  over- 
tures of  Divine  mercy — and  may  be  saved  ;  even  infant 
children  have  their  original  An  washed  away  by  the 
blood  of  Christ,  and  never  having  committed  any  actu- 
al transgression,  may  be  sav(  d.  We  hold  that  Divina 
grace  is  in  proportion  to  Divine  requirement  ;  that  if 
God  invites  all  men  to  be  saved,  and  requires  all  men  to  be 
saved  :  he  puts  it  into  the  power  of  all  men  to  be  saved, 
and  if  all  men  are  not  saved,  this  will  be  their  condem- 


REUGION. 

nation,  that  light  has  come  into  the  world  and  that  the/ 
have  loved  darkness  when  they  might  and  ought  t'^  have 
■done  otherwise.  Every  n)an  shall  be  judged  according  to 
that  he  hnth  done,  considering  the  light  and  knowledge 
that  he  had  or  might  have  had,  for  there  is  no  respect  of 
persons  with  God. —They  that  have  the  law  of  (lod  or  na- 
ture, shall  be  judged  according  to  the  law  of  God  or  na- 
ture- and  they  that  have  the  law  of  the  Gosncl  shall 
be  judged  according -o  the  law  of  the  Gospel,  ibr  to 
whom  much  is  given  from  them  shall  much  be  required. 
If  mankind  are,  as  some  people  pretend,  so  totally  de- 
praved, that  they  cannot  accept  the  offers  of  grace  and 
salvation,  they  most  certainly,  are  none  the  better  for 
these  offers.  But  the  Armenian  principle  oi> the  other 
hand,  that  mankind  are  not  naturally  more  inclined  to 
€vil  than  they  are  to  good  ;  and  that  therefore  con- 
version and  regeneration  are  not  necessary,  is  contradic- 
ted by  scripture  and  by  our  own  daily  observation.  And 
it  is  a  scandal  upon  the  Episcopal  Church  to  say,  that 
because  they  are  not  Calvin'sts  they  are  Armenians, 
The  Episcopal  Church  says  expressly  in  her  form  of 
oaptism, — "  Forasmuch  as  all  men  are  conceived  and 
')orn  in  sin,  and  our  Saviour  Christ  saith,  none  can  enter 
nto  the  kingdom  ol  God,  except  he  be  regenerated  and 
horn  aneto  of  water  .  'd  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  This  is  ure- 
ter the  Gospel.  In  ur  General  Confession  we  constant- 
ly acknowledge  that  ve  have  followed  too  much  the  de- 
vices and  desires  of  our  oicn  hearts,  that  there  is  no 
health  in  us.  And  .1  the  Colledlfor  the  second  Sunday 
in  Lent  :  Almighty  God,  who  seest  that  we  have  no 
;>ower  of  ourselves,  to  help  ourselves,  keep  us,  both  out 
(vardly  in  our  bodies,  and  inwardly  in  our  souls,  &c.  But 
)ecause  we  have  no  power  of  oiirselves,  it  is  not  to  say, 
hat  divine  grace  is  not  given  to  us,  and  that  it  is  not  suf- 
icient  for  us. 

4th.  They  held  that  the  true  and  saving  grace  of 
Sod  was  never  given  to,  nor  designed  for,  more  than  ono 
lart  of  -nankind  ;  and  thit  to  them  it  was  without  any' 
foresigh;  of  faith,  obedi'  nee,  or  good  works,  or  any  thing 
dse  on  the  part  of  the  creature  ;  and  that  it  was  absolute- 
ly irresistible  in  their  conversion  and  final  salvation.     In 

'swer,  we  hold,  wilh  Saint  Paul,  that  the  p-ace  of  Goij 


22S  RELIGION 

that  very  grade  vvlucli  bringem  Sc.  nation,  hatli  appeared 
unto  alt  men,  teaching  us  that  denying  ungodliness  and 
fvorldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly,  righteously  and 
<^odly  in  this  present  world.  But  that  this  grace  is  given 
in  such  a  manner  that  it  may  be  resisted,  and  on  that 
account  the  Apostle  advises  us  not  to  resist  the  Spirit, 
not  to  do  despite  to  the  Spirit  of  grace,  not  to  grieve  nor 
quench  the  spirit  by  living  in  sin  and  hardening  our 
hearts  against  the  overtures  of  divine  mercy.  We  hold 
that  the  grace  of  God  which  bringeth  salvation  is  as 
extensive  and  as  universal  as  the  offers  and  calls  of 
salvation  ;  and  that  if  people  perish,  it  must  be  for 
not  being  saved,  when  they  might  have  been  saved^ 
else  why  can  they  be  justly  blamed  for  not  being  sa- 
ved? 

5th.  They  held  that  if  any  person  ever  had  one  spark 
of  this  true  and  saving  grace,  they  were  sealed  from  that 
moment,  unto  salvation,  and  they  iiever  could  fall  from 
it.  That  "  God  did  from  all  eternity  decree  to  justify 
all  the  elect, ''^  &c.  and  that  "  they  can  never  fall  from  a 
state  of  justification.^''  Is  not  this  Antinomianism?  God 
will  justify  the  elect  let  them  do  what  they  will!  what 
would  be  a  sin  in  others  would  not  be  a  sin  ip  them  !  In 
!inswer,  the  Episcopal  Church  hold  with  our  Saviour,  viz. 
that  he  that  endureth  to  the  end  shall  be  saved  ;  that  it 
js  one  tning  to  have  the  grace  of  God,  and  another  thing 
to  perserve  in  the  use  of  it,  by  bringing  forth  the  fruits  of 
it  in  a  virtuous,  good  life  and  conversation;  and  unless  w«> 
do  that,  we  forfeit  our  inheritance.  These  are  th^  five 
POINTS  of  doctrine  which  originally  caused  our  forefathers 
dissent,  or  separate  from  the  Church  of  England;  and 

ey  are  the  points  in  wliich  the  Congregational  Presbyte 
iansin  Connecticut  now  differ  from  the  Episcopal  Church. 

THE  WORSHIP  OF  GOD  IN  THE  CHURCH 

Another  ground  on  which  our  forefathers  separated 
from  the  Church  of  England  was,  that  they  disliked  the 
use  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prater,  in  the  worship  of 
God.  They  held  that  t'.ie  sacrifice  of  prayer,  adoration 
and  thanksgiving,  ought  not  to  be  prepared   beforehand 


RELIGION.  229 

Psalm  tunes  were  not  taught,  and  organs  and    other   in- 
struments of  music  were  an    abomination.     I  remember 
myself  to  have  seen  some  pious  people  leave  the  meeting- 
house because  the   148th  psalm   was   sunjj   to   the  tu^e 
of  Lenox.     But  they  can    now   have    singing    schools, 
learn  the  gayest  tunes,  use  organs  and  otiier  instruments 
of  music  ; — Stanhole  and  Hopkins  is    laid    aside  :  Tate 
and  Braidy  is  laid    aside  :  Watts  is   almost   laid  aside  : 
Barlow  is  laid  aside  :  and    Dwight    is   now   in    fashion. 
Once  I  never  heard  a  chapter  read  in  one  of  their  meet- 
ing-houses in  my  life  ;  now  they  generally  read    one   or 
two  chapters  on  each  Sunday  ;    but  mind,    it   is   by    no 
stated  rule  ;  they  read  such  chapters    as    they   please  : 
and  no  two  of  them  read  the  same  chapter  at   the   same 
time.     Once  I  never  saw  a  clerical  dress   upon   one  of 
their  ministers;  now  they  frequently    wear   gowns    and 
bands,  and  you  can  hardly  distinguish  them   from   those 
who  are  really  in  the  holy  orders.     Once  it   was   offen- 
sive to  call    their    meeting-houses    churches  ;  now    they 
call  them  churches,  and  talk   of  going  to   church,  when 
they  mean  meeting.     Oi;ce  f  never  heard  a  speech  made 
by  them  at  the  grave,  on  a  funeral  occasion  :  now  it   is 
not  uncommon.     Once  I  never  heard  of  baptism  or   the 
communion  administered  in  a  private  house,   even   to   a 
sick  person,  anions?  them  :  and  now  it  is  sometimes  done. 
Once  I  never  hea'd  of  their  administering  the   commun- 
ion at  their  associations  :  and  now  it  is  sometimes  done  ; 
and  now  I  understand   they  bes^'in  to  ordain  their  Deacons. 
Once  their  ministers  did  not  baptize  nor   administer   the 
sacrament  out  of  their   own  parishes  ;  and  now  I  under- 
stand they  do  i)oth.     Once  they  objected  to  the  celebra- 
tion of  our  Sr,- ioui's  nativity  on    Christmas;  now   they 
begin  to  open  ;iu;ir  meeting-houses  for   worship  on   that 
day.     Once  tl.'jy  opnointed  their  fasts  in  the  spring,   on 
Easter  week,  v/ueii  all  the  rest   of  the   Christian   world 
were  rejoicing  at  tlie  resMrrection  of  our    Saviour  :  now 
they,  with  us,  aj  poi;;t  their  fasts  on  Good  Friday,  which 
is  the  day  when  our  Saviuur  was  crucified.     Once  they 
objected  to  knceii  jg  in  prayer,   even  in  their  family  wor- 
ship :  now  they  be^in  to  practice  it.     And  now  they  bo- 
gin  to  keep  hoiy  Sunday  night,  which  once  they  did  not 


250  RELIGION. 

And  there  ts  hardly  any  thing  in  which  they  Aat'e  not  been 
o^iven  to  change  ;  and  xce  are  commanded  not  to  meddle  with 
them  that  are  given  to  change. 

In  the   Episcopul  Church  we  think  it  our  duty  to  have 
our  sacrifice  of  prayer,  praise,  adoration,  and  thanksgiv- 
ing,   prepared  beforehand  ;  that  it  be    neither   maimed, 
nor  halt,    nor  blind  ;  but  that  it  be  founded   on   the   au- 
thority of  God's  word,  and  the  best  reason  of  mankind  ; 
that  it  be  perfect  as   human  language  can  make  it  ;  that 
it  be  well  understood  and   duly  consecrated  ;    that   each 
one    present   should   take  a  public,   active,    audible  and 
visible  part   in   it  ;  that   it  be  offered  in  the    Church  and 
elsewhere,    upon  the  alter  of  our  hearts,  and  consumed 
with  the  fire  of  love  to  God  and  good  will  to  men,  and  in 
unison   with  the   rest   of  the  Christian  world.      In  the 
Episcopal  Church,  the  worship   of  God   contains   every 
thing  which  the  Christian  Religion  requires  it  to  contain: 
it  is  contained  in  language  which  every  one  can   under- 
stand, and   offered  in  such  a   manner    that   every    man, 
woman  and  child,  who  can  speak,  may  speak,  and  ought 
to  take  a  public,  active,  and  audible  part   in   it.     Every 
minister  is  obliged  to  begin  the   public    worship   of  God 
with  some  sentences  of  the   Holy    Scriptures   and   that 
they  may  all,  in  every  part  of  the  state,  nation,    country 
and  world,  begin  in  the  same   way   and   with   the    same 
words  at  the  same  time,  they  are  selected  and  placed    in 
the  beginning  of  the  daily  morning  and   evening   service 
in  the   prayer-book  ;  and    so   soon  as  the  minister  thus 
begins,  the  whole  congregation  is  required  to   rise   and 
stand.     The  minister  always  begins  with  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, to  shew  that  they  are  the  foundation  of  his  religion, 
the  rule  of  his  faith  and  conduct.     The  people  arise  and 
stand,  to  show  how  willing  thoy  are  to  receive  the  word 
of  God,  and  to  go  any  where,   and  to    do    any   thing    to 
obey  it,  as  their  rising  and  standing  naturally  shew.    The 
minister  is  then  required  to  read  slowly,  audibly ,distinct- 
ly  and  understandingly,  a   solemn   exhor'ation,    founded 
upon  the  Holy  Scriptures,  pointing  out  tiie  different  parts 
of  public  worship,  which  they  are  then  met   together   to 
perform,  solemnizing  their  minds  that   they   should  not 
utter  any  thing  hastily  before  God  ■  and  exhorting  them 


RELIGION.  231 

"to  join  with  a  pure  heart  and  humble  voice  in   what   fol- 
lows.    The  minister  and  all  the   congregation    are   then 
required  to  kneel  down  devoutly  upon  their   knees,   and 
make  a  humble  confession  of  their  sins  before  God    and 
one  another.     The    minister   says,   Mniglity   and  most 
merciful   Father  :    the   whole    congregation   repeat   the 
same  words  after  him  with  a  loud  but  humble  voice.     He 
then  says,  We   have  erred  and  strarjed  from  thy   icays   lilci 
lost  sheep:  l]\e  whole  congregation  repeat  the  same  wordf 
with  a  loud  but  humble  voice.    He  says,  Ue  have  follow- 
ed too  muck  the  devices  and  desires  of  our  own  hearts  :  th*^ 
whole  congregation  repeat  it  after  him,  &.c.     In  this  way 
there  is   a  general  and  public  confession  made  of  all  our 
?ins,  both  original  and   actual,   made    in  such  general 
terms,  that  there  is  no  son  nor   daughter   of  the   human 
race  who  cannot  conscientiously  join  in  it  :  and  it*  is  so 
particular  that  each  one  may  and  ought  to  apply  it  to  hir 
own  case.     God  has  sworn  by  himself,  that  at  the   name 
of  Jesus,  every  knee  shall  bow,  and   every   tongue    confess. 
Here,  in  the  Episcopal  Church,   every   knee,   ministers 
and  people,  of  all  nations,    countries  and   languages   ii 
all  the  world,  does  bow,  and  every  tongue  does  confess 
St.  Paul  says,  "  ivith  the  heart  man  helievdh  unto   righte 
ousness,  and  with  the  moidh  conjcssion  is  made  unto   salva- 
tion ;  intimating  that  it  was  as  necessary   for  mankind  to 
confess   with  their  mouths  unto   salvation,  as   it   was   to 
believe  in  their  hearts  unto   righteousness.     After   the 
confession,  the  priest  is  required  to  arise  and  declare  to 
the  congregation,  still  kneeling,  the  glad   tidings   of  the 
Gospel  in  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins,  for  the  everlasting 
'comfort  and  consolation  of  God's  people.     He  declares, 
(hat  "  Almighty  God,  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
will  pardon  and  absolve  all  those  ivho  tridy  repent,  and  uvr- 
ieignedly  believe  his  holy  Gospel.''^     Having  humbly  con- 
fessed their  sins,  and  having  heard    God's  merciful   for- 
giveness  pronounced  by    the    proper   officer  ;  they  are 
now  prepared  to  call  upon  him  in  prayer,  as  their  Father, 
not  only  by  creation  and  preservation,  but  by  reconcilia» 
tion.     The  minister  shall  then  kneel,  and  with  the    con- 
gregation lift  up  his  voice  aloud,  and  with  one  accord,  in 
the  Lord's  prayer,  which  contains,  in  few  words,  all   tho 


232  kEligiot:. 

real  wants  of  mankind,  founded  upon  the  Christian  prin- 
ciple of  forgiveness  ;  that  God  would  forgive  us  our 
trespasses  as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  lis  : 
we  pray  for  our  daily  bread,  which  embraces  all  the  com- 
forts of  this  life  ;  we  pray  that  his  kingdom  may  come, 
and  his  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven,  which 
embraces  all  the  means  of  grace  in  this  world,  and  the 
hope  of  glory  in  the  world  to  come.  After  the  Lord's 
prayer,  which  our  blessed  Saviour  has  posiiively  and  ex- 
pressly commanded,  Luke  xi.  2,  that  when  we  did  pray 
we  should  say.  We  then  pray  for  divine  assistance,  and 
then  the  minister  and  all  the  congregation  arise,  and 
standing,  he  says,  Glory  he  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son, 
and  to  the  Holy  Ghost ,  that  is,  glory,  honor,  praise  and 
thanksgiving,  be  to  God  the  Father  for  creating  us,  to 
God  tilt)  Son  for  redeeming  us,  and  to  God  the  Holy 
Ghost  for  inspiring  the  Holy  Scriptures,  for  sanctifying 
our  natures,  and  fitting  us  for  God's  holy  worship  and 
service.  The  congregation,  with  one  voice  say  aloud, 
./3s  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  noiu  and  ever  shall  be,  world 
toithoid  end  ;  that  is,  as  there  was  giory,  honor,  praise 
and  thanksgiving,  in  the  Jewish  Church,  so  there  is  now 
in  the  Christian  Church,  and  there  ever  shall  be  in  th* 
Church  triumphant  in  Heaven.  Then  shall  be  said  or 
sung  to  the  glory,  honor  and  praise  of  God,  a  por- 
tion of  the  psalms  of  David,  as  it  is  appointed  ;  so 
that  every  minister  and  congregation  shall  worship  God 
in  the  same  Psalms  at  the  same  time.  'I  he  minister  reads 
or  sinsfs  one  verse,  and  the  congregation  the  next  ;  and 
so  on  till  the  psalm  or  portion  of  j)saims  is  ended  ;  when 
the  minister  shall  say,  as  before.  Glory  be  to  the  Father, 
Sfc.  and  the  congregation  again  say,  As  it  was  in  the  be- 
ginning, Sfc.  Here  I  would  observe  one  thing,  which  is 
very  remarkable,  and  which  it  is  probable,  that  not  one 
person  in  three  thousand  in  this  country  ever  thought  of, 
viz.  that  in  all  the  Bible,  from  the  beginning  of  Genesis 
to  the  end  of  the  Revelations,  there  is  not  so  much  aa 
one  verse  that  is  in  rhyme  or  metre.  1  have  read  the 
Bible  in  English,  Latin,  Greek,  and  part  of  it  in  He- 
brew, and  have  never  been  able  to  discover  one  verse 
which  was  in  rhyme  oj  metre  j  and  there  is  no   account 


RELIGION.  238 

that  the  Patriarchs,  or  Noah,  David,  or  the  Prophets  ; 
there  is  no  account  that  our  Saviour,  or  the  Apostles  or 
Primitive  Christians  ever  did  worship  God  in  this  way. — 
The  song  of  JMoses  and  Miriam,  the  psalms  of  David, 
the  hymns  and  spiritual  songs  in  the  New  Testament, 
are  in  prose.  The  art  of  poetry,  in  metre  and  rhyme,  ia 
the  time  of  our  Saviour,  and  in  the  time  of  the  Phroph- 
ets,  was  in  the  highest  state  of  perfection.  Homer  and 
Ovid,  and  Virgil  and  Horace,  are  now  studied  in  all  our 
colleges  ;  and  the  heathen,  who  used  to  worship  Gods 
of  their  own  invention  and  making,  used  to  worship  them 
in  rhyme  and  in  metre  ;  but  those  who  worshipped  the 
true  God,  always  worshipped  him  in  prose  ;  and  in  the 
Episcopal  Church  it  is  now  enjoined  upon  us,  that  we 
shall  set]]  or  sing  the  Psalm  in  prose,  and  in  this  waji  there 
is  no  one  but  can  join  in  the  sacrifice  ;  for  if  he  cannot 
sing  he  can  read  ;  and  if  he  cannot  read,  he  can  learn 
by  heart  ;  and  if  he  cannot  learn  by  heart,  he  can  say 
as  other  folks  do.  Tho  whole  book  of  Psalms  is  divided 
into  thirty  portions,  so  that  it  will  be  read  through  onoe 
in  every  month,  and  each  minister  and  people  read  the 
same  portion  at  the  same  time.  The  New  Testament 
is  read  through  twice  every  year,  and  most  of  the  Old 
Testament  once  every  year  ;  and  it  is  so  ordered  that 
every  minister  shall  read  tiie  same  chapters  at  the  same 
time.  My  limits  will  not  permit  me  to  explain  the  whole 
worship  of  God  in  the  Episcopal  Church.  I  can  only 
say,  that  there  are  good  and  important  reasons  for  eaer^ 
part  of  it.  The  Christian  Church  was  not  left  as  the 
world  was  before  it  was  made,  ivithoidform,  and  void,  and 
darkness  ivas  uponit,  bid  it  is  reduced  to  a  regular  system. 
As  we  expect  our  bodies  and  souls  to  be  glorified  to- 
gether, it  is  proper  that  we  should  worship  God  with  our 
bodies  as  well  as  with  our  souls.  The  church,  in  her 
worship  requires  three  postures  of  body,  viz.  standing, 
sitting  and  kneeling,  and  these  should  express  the  inward 
feelings  and  sensations  of  the  heart.  When  we  stand, 
it  is  to  shew  that  our  hearts  are  elevated  in  praise  and 
adoration  ;  when  we  sit,  it  is  to  shew  that  we  are  recei- 
ving instruction  from  our  Heavenly  Father  ;  when  we 
kneel,  it  ia  to  shew  our   humility   and   our   dependency 

20* 


tS4  RELIGION. 

upon  God      Outward  forms  and  ceremoniris,  without  tha 
inward  feelings  of  the  heart,   are  like  a  body  without  a 
soul,  and  are  of  little  worth.    The  inward  feelings  of  the 
heart,  without  outwardforms  and  ceremonies,   are  like  a 
&oul  without  a  body,  too   etherial  for   such  beings  as  we 
are  ;  they  cannot  be  kept  steadfast   on  any  thing  ;   we 
never  know  where  to   find   them.       God   is   always  the 
same:  the  general   wants   of  all  mankind  are  the  same: 
and  the  public  worship  of  God  shotild  always  be  the  same. 
Constantly  to  unite  in  the  same  form   of  worship  is  not 
designed  to  change  the  unchangeable  God,  but  to  change 
ourselves  to  the  same  disposition,  and  a  sameness  of  dis- 
position, creates  friendship  in  all  beings  and  in  all  worlds, 
and  by  this  says  our  blessed  Saviour,  shall  all  men  know 
that   you  are   my  disciples,   if  you    love   one    another. 
These  very  prayers  have  been  used  in  the  Church  almost 
two   thousand  years  ;    they   elevated   the  hearts,   they 
warmed   the  affections,   they  prepared  the  souls  of  holy 
martyrs,    and   confessors,    and  primitive    Christians   for 
crowns   of  glory  ;    they  were  the  means  of  grace  to  my 
mcestors  and  friends  who  have  gone   before    me  ,    they 
have  supported  me  in  my  troubles, and  carried  me  through 
many  temptations.       O,   that  I  could  conform    my   soul 
more  thoroughly  to  the  disposition  and  sentiments  which 
they  contain  and  enjoin.     I  leave  them  as  my  best  legacy 
to  my  children,   that  when  they  join  fervently  in  them, 
they  may  know  how  their  father  felt,  and  learn  to  feel  in 
devotion,   as   he    did  ;  and  as  all  good    Christians   have 
^ne  who  have  gor^e  the  way  before  them. 

In  the  Episcopal  church  the  minister  generally  per- 
forms the  service  in  one  place  and  preaches  in  another  ; 
and  at  one  time  he  is  dressed  in  a  white  surplice,  at 
another  time  he  is  dressed  in  a  black  gown.  The  reason 
is,  that  he  sustains  two  different  offices,  viz.  that  of  a 
Priest  and  that  of  a  Prbphet. — When  he  is  performing 
the  service,  he  is  exercising  the  office  of  a  priest:  he  is 
in  the  reading  desk,  and  is  dressed  in  white,  and  is  then 
speaking  to  the  Almighty  in  behalf  of  himself  and  of  the 
people.  White  is  to  shew  how  pure  the  office  of  the 
priesthood  is,  and  how  pure  our  heart  and  lives  should 
be  when  we  address  a  God  of  infinite  purity  and  holiness. 


RELIGION.  2S5 

He  then  goes  into  the  pulpit  and  is  dressed  in  black,  and 
is  exercising  the  office  of  a  prophet,  and  is  speaking  to 
the  people  in  behalf  of  the  Almighty  ;  warning  them  of 
their  danger,  and  pointing  out  to  them  their  duty.  Black 
is  to  shew  how  grave  the  office  of  a  prophet  is,  and  how 
solemn  the  important  embassy  is,  which  he  is  about  to 
deliver  to  a  guilty  world  in  God's  name,  and  as  he  sus- 
tains and  exercises  two  different  offices,  so  it  is  proper 
that  they  should  be  performed  in  two  different  places, 
and  distinguished  by  two  different  dresses. 

0  Almighty  and  Eternal  God,  I  beseech  thee  to 
direct  and  assist  us  at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  with 
thy  most  gracious  favour  ;  guard  us  from  all  error,  lead 
us  into  all  truth  and  righteousness,  and  at  last  receive  us 
to  thyself  in  glory  and  happiness  through  Jesus  Christ 
«ur  Lord  who  has  mercifully  taught  and  commanded  us 
that  when  we  did  pray  we  should  say — Our  Father  who 
art  in  Heaveuj  &c. 

CONCORD,  N.  H,  FEBRUARY  1, 183S. 
'nemhotaiarnggOodnanUflal^  that  from  nu  which  can  do  him  no  good,  lut  mc  harm  indeed !  I  * 

We  have  no  wish  to  render  nilln^  for  lailinsr,  or  to  speak  evil  of  any  one ;  but  in  the  caose  of  justice  and 

J ,  ixy,  we  think  it  our  duty  to  lay  before  the  public  the  following  lestijnouy,  and  to  request  them  to  jud^ 

I  themselves. 

Cmrord  N.  n.  Nov.  1»(,  1632. 

This  certifies  (hat  I  have  been  personally  and  well  acquainted  with  the  REV.  AMMl  ROGERS,  for  about 
one  vear  last  past— that  he  has  made  ruy  house  his  home,  and  boarded  in  my  family,  when  he  was  in  town  ; 
Iliat'I  have  dealt  with  him  to  the  amount  of  more  than  250,00  ;  that  1  have  always  found  him  to  be  a  man  of 
truth,  of  honor,  of  honesty  and  of  strict  inteerity.  ifid  no  way  iustly  liable  to  reproach,  eitlier  as  a  minister 
•rasa  man.  JONATHAN  EASTMAN. 

Concord,  N.  H.  N(n.  1st.  18M. 

1  have  dealt  with  the  aforesaid  Rogers  to  the  amOtiDt  of  194,72  within  one  year  last  past,  and  fully  concui 
Q  the  opinion  of  Jonathan  Eastman,  Esq.  relative  to  the  said  Rogers.  LUTHER  ROBY. 

Concord,  N.  H.  Nov.  Ut,  1S32. 
TIjts  certifies  that  I  have  been  personally  and  well  acqnainted  with  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  for  about  one 
year  last  pa«t,  that  for  some  weeks  1  lived  in  the  same  nouse,  »ud  at  (he  same  lable  with  him  ;  thatwithia 
the  last  year  1  have  dealt  with  him  to  the  amount  of  232,75,  that  I  have  always  found   him  to  be  a  man  of 
Irulb,  of  konor,  of  honesty  and  of  strict  integrity,  And  no  way  juatK  liable  to  reproach.  DANIEL  CHASE. 

Cauairi,  JV.  H.  Nov.  ind,  lt<32. 
I  have  been  well  acquainted  with  the  aforesaid  Rogers  for  about  one  year  last  past,  during  which  time  I 
have  dealt  with  him  to  the  amount  of  €2,50,  and  fully  concur  in  the  aforemid  certificate*  relative  to  him. 

OLIVER  L.  SANBORN. 
Concord,  N.  H.  Nov.  27id,  1832. 
I  have  been  acquainted  with  the  aforesaid  Rogers  for  about  one  year  last  past,  and  have  dealt  with  him  t» 
Ike  amount  of  156,60,  and  concur  in  the  foregoing  certificates.  HORATIO  HILL  h  Co. 

Concord,  N.  H.  Nov.  3,  1832. 
The  aforesaid  Rogers  came  to  my  bouse  about  the  12lh  of  Nov,  1831  ini  I  have  received  of  him  30,00  it 
fall  of  all  demands  10  this  date,  Jw.  '  JOHN  P.  GASS. 

The  whole  debts  966,57  [See  pifc  262.] 

Tlw  whole  credit  96«,57 

laau  «, 


tS^  RELIGION. 


BLUE  hAWS  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

If  any  man  or  woman  be  a  rvitch,  or  hath  consulted 
with  a  familiar  spirit,  they  shall  be  put  to  death.  If  any 
person  shall  blaspheme,  that  is,  speak  against  God  the 
Father,  Son,  or  Holy  Ghost  he  shall  be  put  to  death. 
If  any  person  commit  adultery  with  a  married  woman 
they  shall  both  be  put  to  death.  If  any  person  rise  up  by 
false  witness  against  another,  he  shall  be  put  to  death. 
If  any  man  have  a  rebellious  son,  who  will  not  obey  the 
voice  of  his  father  or  mother,  he  shall  be  brought  into 
court  and    shall  be  put  to  death. 

And  whereas  diverse  lacivious  carriages  and  filthy  dal- 
liances are  practiced  amons;  us,  it  is  ordered  that  the 
court  have  power  to  proceed  against  them  at  their  dis- 
cretion either  by  fine,  publicly  whipping  or  imprisonment, 
or  by  all  of  them.  If  two  or  three  shall  speak  together 
privately  during  the  setting  of  the  court,  they  shall  be 
fined  twelve  pence  apiece.  If  any  person  shall  reveal 
nny  secret  enjoined  upon  him  by  the  court  he  shall  be 
lined  ten  pounds.  If  any  person  shall  neglect  or  refuse 
iu  teach  their  children  the  short  orthodox  catechism,  the 
magistrates  shall  take  such  children  from  their  parents 
or  guardians  and  shall  bind  them  out.  If  any  person 
shall  speak  or  behave  contemptuously  toward  any  settled 
congregational  minister  he  shall  be  set  upon  a  block  at 
least  four  feet  high  in  the  meetuig  house  upon  a  lecture 
day,  with  a  paper  upon  him,  written  in  capital  letters 
THIS  IS  AN  OBSTINATE  coNTEMNOR.  If  any  person  shall 
neglect  or  refuse  to  attend  the  public  ministry  of  the 
congregational  society  where  he  resides  he  shall  be  fined 
five  shillings  for  every  such  neglect.  If  any  person  do 
not  belong  to  said  church,  and  be  not  in  good  standing, 
he  shall  not  be  allowed  to  vote  for  any  ollicer  civil  or 
ecclesiastical,  nor  shall  he  hold  any  ofHce  in  the  Colony. 
If  any  person  shall  commit  fornication  with  any  single 
woman,  they  shall  be  both  whipped  on  their  naked  body 
at  the  post,  and  shall  be  compelled  to  marry.  If  any 
person  shall  wilfully  lie  and  propagate  falsehood  against 
aaother,  he  shall  be  fined  ten  shillings,  set  in  the    stocks 


RELIGION.  ».• 

tlireo  hours  and  be  publicly  whipped  on  his  naked  body 
twenty  stripes.  Jf  any  person  shall  refuse  to  pay  his 
meet  proportion  for  tho  support  of  the  congregational 
minister  in  the  place  whore  he  risides,  then  the  magis- 
trate shall  assess  him  according  to  Ids  own  judgment,  and 
shall  collect  it  hj  force.  If  any  person  within  tliis  Colony 
shall  use  any  tobacco,  publicly  or  private!)-,  in  the  street 
or  highway,  or  barnyard,  on  training  day,  or  on  any  other 
day,  he  shall  be  lined  six  pence  for  every  such  offence, 
and  shall  pay  it  without  saying  a  word  against  it.  Andrew 
Low,  jr.  was  severely  whipped  at  the  post  for  stealing 
strong  water  (i.  c.  rum)  from  Mr.  Ling's  cubbard,  and 
ordered  to  work  as  a  prisoner  with  a  lock  about  his  leg. 
Jacob  M.  Murlin  and  Sarah  Tuttle  were  severely  whip- 
ped at  the  post  and  lined  20  shillings  for  filthy  dalliance, 
that  is,  he  kissed  her,  and  she  kissed  him.  John  Lobdel 
was  whipped  at  the  post  for  filthy  dalliance  wifii  Mr. 
Goodman's  girl.  Samuel  Hoskins  and  Elizabeth  Cleverly 
were  both  severely  whipped  and  ordered  to  be  married. 
Margaret  Bedford  was  severely  whipped  at  the  post  and 
ordered  to  be  married  to  Nicholas  Jennings  with  whom 
she  had  been  naughty,  many  hundred  other  cases  of  a  sim- 
ilar nature  might  be  mentioned.  In  1664  a  man  was 
publicly  whipped  at  the  post  for  refusing  to  have  his 
child  baptized  by  a  congregational  minister  and  speaking 
against  infant  baptism.  In  1651  John  Crandal  was  fined 
five  pounds,  John  Clark  was  fined  twenty  pounds  and 
Obadiah  Holmes  was  fined  twenty  pounds  and  all  whip- 
ped 30  stripes  with  a  three  fold  cord;  for  meeting  in  a 
private  house  for  public  worship  in  opposition  to  the  con- 
gregational meeting.  John  Spur  and  John  Hazel  were 
publicly  whipped  at  the  post,  fined  forty  shillings  and 
imprisoned  for  shaking  hands  with  a  person  excommuni- 
'  :;ated  from  a  congregational  church.  In  1729  two  Quak- 
ers, two  Episcopalians  and  28  Baptists  were  imprisoned 
for  not  paving  a  tax  to  a  congregational  minister  in  Re- 
hoboth.  Hundreds  of  such  cases  might  be  mentioned 
but  I  refer  the  reader  to  page  33.  In  many  parishes  in 
Connecticut,  public  whipping  posh  and- stocks  may  no  y, 
1832;  be  seen  standing  near  the  Congregational  meet- 
ing houses. 


INDEX  &.' 

INDEX  TO  THE  HOLY  BIBLE. 


Blessed  Lord,  who  hast  caused  all  Holy  Scriptures  t 
be  written  for  our  learning  ;  graat  that  we  may  in  sucl 
wise  hear  them,  read,  mark,  learn,  and  inwardly  digesl 
them,  that  by  patience,  and  comfort  of  thy  holy  word, 
we  may  embrace  and  ever  hold  fast,  the  blessed  hope  of 
everlasting  life,  which  thou  hast  given  us  in  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ  :  who  hath  mercifully  taught,  and  expressly 
commanded  us,  that  when  we  did  pray,  we  should  say, 
Our  Father  who  art  in  Heaven,  &c. 


Gbit. — [4004  years  before  Christ.] 

Creatio."*, 
Fonnatioa  of  Man, 
The  Fall, 
Death  of  Abel, 
Generations  of  Adam, 
The  Aik, 
The  Deluc;?, 
Waters  assuaged, 
Death  of  Noah, 
Noah's  Generations, 
Babel  built. 
Call  of  Abram, 
Abrara  and  Lot, 
Battle  of  the  Kings, 
Ahram's  Faith, 
Departure  of  Hagar, 
Cireiiincision, 
Abraham  and  the  Angels. 

Dastniftion  of  Sodom, 

Abraham  denieth  Sarah, 

Isaac  is  born, 

I-<aac  offered  up, 

Deatii  of  Sarah, 

Isaac  and  Rebecca  meet, 

A  braham's  death, 

Isaac  blessed, 

Jacob  and  Esati, 

Jacob's  vision  and  vow, 

Jacob  inai'rieth  Rachel, 

Birth  of  Josep'i, 


CHAP.jl  CHA7. 

Departure  of  Jacob,  31 

Jacob  and  the  Angel,  33 

Jacob  and  Esau  meet,  33 

Shechemitcs  slain,  34 

Jacob's  altar  at  Bethel,  35 

iGenerations  of  Esau,  36 

[Joseph  sold  by  his  brethren,  3' 

jJudah's  incest,  T 

Joseph  and  his  mistress, 

I  Pharaoh's  butler,  &c. 

Pharaoh's  dreams, 

I  Joseph's  brethren  in  Egypt, 

Joseph  entertains  his  brethren, 

Joseph's  Policy  to  his  brethren, 

Josepii  known  to  his  brethren, 

Jacob  goeth  into  Egypt, 

Joseph  presents  his  brethren, 

Joseph  goeth  to  his  father, 

Jacob  blesseth  his  sons. 

Death  of  Joseph, 

EXODtJS. — [1570  B.  c] 


1 

2 

^1 
41 

5| 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20' 
21! 
22. 
2:i| 
24' 
25 


The  Israelites  opnressed, 

Moses  born. 

The  burning  bush, 

God's  message  to  Pharaoh, 

The  bondage  of  the  Israelites, 
6 1  God's  promise  renewed, 
27'  JMoses  goeth  to  Pharaoh, 
28 1 1  Plague  of  frogs, 
291 1  Plagues  continued, 
30,iPlagues  ^-outinued, 


41' 
4i 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 


1 
2 
3 

4 
5 
6 
7 
S 
9 
10 


Ii\DEX,  &c. 


aso 


The  Israelites  borrow  jewels, 

Passover  instituted, 

Departure  of  tlie  Israelites, 

EgJ'l'tians  (IrowiieJ, 

The  sons  of  Moses, 

Manna  and  quails  sent, 

Mose^  builils  an  altar, 

Moses  meets  liis  wife  and  sons, 

Go:i's  message  from  Sinai, 

The  ten  commandments. 

Lews  asainst  murder. 

Laws  against  theft,  &c. 

Laws  agauist  false  witness,  &c. 

Moses  called  into  the  mouut, 

Fonii  of  the  ark. 

Curtains  for  the  ark. 

Altar  of  burnt  offering, 

Aaron  and  his  sons  made  priests, 

Priests  consecrated. 

Ransom  of  souls, 

nioses  receivetii  the  two  tables. 

Golden  calf— Tables  broken, 

God  talketh  with  Moses, 

Tables  renewed. 

Free  gifts  for  the  tabernacle. 

People's  liberality  restrained, 

Ark,  Rlercy-aeat,  &c. 

Sura  of  the  offerings, 

Holy  gai'ments  made. 

Tabernacle  annointed, 

LEVITICUS. — [1490  B.  C] 

Burnt-offerings, 

Meat-offerings, 

Peace-offerings, 

Sin-offerings, 

Trespass-offerings, 

Trespass-offerings, 

Law  of  trespass-offerings, 

Aaron  and  his  sons  consecrated, 

Aaron's  sin  offeiing, 

Nadab  and  Abihu  slain. 

Unclean  beasts. 

Purifications, 

Law  of  leprosy. 

Law  for  the  leper, 

Uncleanlinessof  issues, 

Sin-offe-ings, 

Blood  fcrbidden, 

Unlav.  fill  maiTiages, 

Repetition  of  laws, 

DeDuaci^^pns  for  :^iii% 


A  p. 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24l 
25 
26 
27 
2S 
29 
30 
31 
32 
83 
34 


Priest's  qualifications. 
Nature  of  sacrifices, 
Feasts  of  the  Lord, 
Shelomith's  son^ 
The  Jubilee, 
Obeilience  required. 
Nature  of  vows. 


CBAr. 

21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
28 
27 


NUMBERS. — [1490  b.  e.] 

The  tribes  numbered,  1 

Order  of  the  tribes,  2 

Levites  appointed  priests,  3 

The  service  of  the  Kohathites,  4 

Trial  of  jealousy,  5 

Law  of  tlie  Nazarife,  6 

Offerings  of  the  princes,  7 

Levites  consecrated,  8 

Passover  commanded,  9 

The  Israelite's  march,  10 

The  Israelites  loathe  manna,  11 

[Miriam's  leprosy,  12 

Delegates  search  the  land,  13 

I  The  people  murmur  at  tlie  repoit,  14 

351  [Sundry  laws  given,  15 

36;  iKorah,  Dathan,  &c.  slain,  16 

Aaron's  rod  flourishetli,  17 
Portion  of  the  Priests  and  LeTites,  18 


Law  of  PBrilication,  19 

iMoses  smiteth  the  rock,  20 

JBrazen  serpent  appointed,  21 

iBalak  sendn  for  Balaam,  22 

Balak's  sacrifices,  23 

1  Balaam's  prophecy,  24 

2  Ziniri  and  Cozbi  slain,  25 

3  !  Israel  numbered,  26 

4  I  Death  of  Moses  foretold,  27 
OfferLT^s  to  be  observed,  28 

6   Offeri:igs  at  feasts,  29 

7]  Vows  not  to  be  broken,  80 

81  Mid'. I'li'.es  spoiled,  31 

9i|The  Heubenitesand  Gaditee  r©- 

10|j     proved,  32 

11    Journies  of  the  Israelites,  33 

12|  Borders  of.  tlie  land  appointed,  34 

l"l 'Cities  of  ref:gf  appointed,  35 

14ilGUead*3  in'jentance retained,  36 

16il 

16|l      DKtJTKRONOMT. — [1®D  B.  C] 

17} 

ISi'Mnsosre'.iearsrlh  God's  promise,  1 

19   Story  of  theEdomltes,  2 

201IMoi''3  r.i-  netii  tv(  see  Canaan,  Z 


£40 


INDEX,  &c 


An  exhortation  to  obedience, 
Ten  cominandments. 
Obedience  to  llie  iaw  enjoined, 
istra'ige  coninniiiii)i)  (ijibidden, 
God's  mercies  claim  olwdieii'ie, 
Israel's  reijellioii  reliearsed, 
Tlie  tables  restored, 
An  exIiortatioM  to  oljedience. 
Blood  forbidden. 
Idolaters  to  be  stoned. 
Of  meats,  clejiii  and  unclean, 
Of  tlie  year  of  releat^e, 
The  feast  of  the  Passover, 
The  clioice  and  duly  of  u  King, 
The  priest's  portion, 
Cities  of  rcfige  appointed, 
The  Priest's  exhortation  before 

battle. 
Expiation  of  uncertain  murder. 
Of  humanity  towards  brethren. 
Divers  laws  and  ordinances, 
Of  Divorce, 

Stripes  must  not  exceed  forty. 
Of  the  ofl'ering  of  first  fruits. 
The  law  to  be  written  on  stones, 
Blessincfs  and  curses  declared, 
God's  covenant  with  his  people, 
Mercy  promised  to  the  penitent, 
Moses  giveth  Joshua  a  charge. 
The  song  of  iVIoses, 
The  majesty  of  God, 
Moses  viewelli  the   land  and  di- 

edi, 

JOSHUA. — [1451  B.  C] 

Joshua  succeedeth  Moses, 

Rahab  concealetli  the  spies, 

The  waters  of  Jordan  divided, 

Twe]\e  stones  for  a  memorial, 

Manna  ceaseth, 

Jericho  besieged  and  taken, 

Achan's  sin  p-.inisbed, 

Joshua  taketh  Ai, 

The  craft  of  the  Giheonitps, 

The  sun  and  moon  stand  stili. 

Divers  kings  oon(|uered, 

Names  of  Ihe  contjuercd  kings, 

Balaam  slain, 

The  inheritance  of  the  tribes, 

Tl»e  borders  of  tJn  lot  of  Jc.daii, 

Ephraim's  inheritance. 

The  k)t  of  Manasseii, 


4!  jThe  lot  of  Benjamin, 

5  'The  lot  of  ISiriieon, 

6|  Cities  of  refuge,  &c. 

7    God  giveth  Israel  rest 

Sli'l'hu    two  tribes   and  half  sent 

9l       liome, 

lO' I  Joshua's  exhortation  before  hia 
111)     death, 

12|  Joshua's  death  and  burial, 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 


Id 


19 
20 
21 

22 

23 
34 


JUDGES. — [1425  b.  c] 


The  acts  of  Judiihand  Simeon,  1 
Tiie  Israelites  fall  into  idolatiT,  2 
Tile  nations  left  to  prove  Israel,  S 
Deborah  and  Barak  deliver  Israel,  4 
Tlie  song  of  Deborah  and  Barak,  6 
The   Israelites  oppressed   by   Mi 


dian, 
22i  Gideon's  army, 
23!  The  Epinaimites  pacified, 

24  Abimeiech  made  king, 

25  Tolath  judgeth  Israel, 
261  Jeplilhaii's  rush  vow, 
27j|Tlie  Epraimites  slain. 


Samson  born, 

.Samson's  marriage  and  riddle, 

Samsnn  is  denied  his  wife, 

Delilah's  falsehood  to  Samson, 

Micah's  idolatry. 

The  Danites  seek  an  inheritance,  1° 


6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

!4 

15 

16 

17 


The  Levite  and  his  concubine. 
The  complaint  of  the  Levite, 
Benjamin's  dissolution  bewailed, 

RUTH.— [1312  b.  c] 


Elimelech  driven  into  Moab, 
SjlRuth  gleaneth  in  Boaz's  field, 
4'  Boat's  bounty  to  Ruth, 
5  I  Boa/,  mairietli  RutJi, 
G  ! 

I.    SAMUEt. — [1171  B.    «.} 


I  Samuel  horn, 
jlLmnah's  song, 
iThe  Lord  callsth  Samuel, 
Eli's  death, 

Uagon  filleth  before  ili«  ark. 
The  Hik  Scat  back, 
Tiie  Israelites  rejient, 
riio  I>'raclite8  desire  a  kinj, 
S  ijnuel  eniertaiiietli  Saul, 


INDEX,  &c 


241 


CHAP. 

Saul  aiinointcd,  10 

Tlie  Ammonites  sinitlcn,  11 

Samuel's  iiUciriity,  12 

Saul  reproved,  13 

Saul's  victory,  14 

Saul  spareth  Agag,  15 

Samuel  annoiiiteth  David,  16 

David  slaycth  GoliatL,  17 

Jonathan's  love  to  Duvid,  18 

Saul's  jealousy  of  David,  19' 

David  and  Jonathan  consult,  20 

David  feigns  himself  mad,  21 

Nob  destroyed,  22 

David  rescueth  Keilah,  23 

David  spareth  Saul,  24 

The  death  of  Samuel,  2-5 

David  findeth  Saul  asleep,  26 

David  fleeth  to  Gath,  27 

Saul  consults  a  witch,  28 

xicliish  dismisseth  Daviil,  29 

Amalekites  spoil  Ziklag,  30 

Saul  and  his  sons  slain,  31 


II.  SAMUET,. — [1056  B.  C] 

David  laments  Saul, 
David  made  king  of  Judah, 
Joal)  killetU  Abner, 
Tsh-boslielh  murdered, 
David's  age  afld  reign, 
Uzzah  smitten, 
God's  proinise  to  David, 
David's  oflicers, 
David  sends  for  Mephiboshelh 
Hanan's  villany, 
David's  a<luitery, 
Nathan's  parable, 
Amnon  and  Tamar, 
Absolem's  return, 
Absolem's  policy, 
Shimei  curseth  David, 
Aliithophel  hangeth  himself, 
Absolem  slain  by  Joab, 
Sliniei  is  pardoned, 
Sheba's  revolt, 
haul's  sons  hanged, 
David's  thanksgiving, 
David's  faith, 
David  nunibereth  t'  •■;  people, 

I.  KINGS. — [:C;7  z,  c] 

Solomon  anointed  ki;  t 


CHAP. 

David's  dentil,  2 

Solomon  chooseth  wisdom,  3 

Solomon's  [irosperity,  4 

Hiram  and  Solomon  agree,  5 

The  building  of  the  temple,  6 

Ornaments  of  the  temple,  7 

The  temple  dedicate^,  8 

God's  covenant  with  Solomon,  9 

The  queen  of  Sheba,>  10 

Ahijali's  prophecy,  11 

The  ten  tribes  revolt,  12 

Jeroboam's  hand  withered,  13 

Abijah's  sickness  and  death,  14 

Jeroboam's  sin  punished,  15 

Jericho  rebuilt,  16 

The  widow's  s<^m  raised,  17 

Elijah  obtaineth  rain,  18 
Elisha  followeth  Elijah,             *     19 

Samaria  besieged,  20 

Naboth  stoned,  21 

Ahab  seduced,  22 

11.  KINGS. — [8S6b.  c] 

Moab  rcbelicth,  1 

Elijah's  translation,  2 

Moabitcs  defeated,             .  8 

"he  widow's  oil  multiplied,  4 

.Vaaman  cleansed,  5 

A  famine  in  Samaria,  6 

i  lentv  in  Samaria,  7 

Ren-HaJad  killed,  8 

Jezebel  eaten  by  dogs,  9 

i'rophets  of  Raal  slain,  10 

Jehoasli  anointed  king,  11 

The  temple  repaired,  il2 

Elinha's  death,  13 

Aniarinli  rrignetli,  14 

Azariah's  leprosy,  15 

Ahaz's  wicked  reign,  16 

Ten  tribes  taken  captive,  17 

Rabshakeh's  blasphemy,  15 

Hezekial-.'s  prayer,  19 

Hezekiah's  death,  20 

I iMcinasseth's  iniquity,  21. 

Huldah  prophesieth,  22 
jjosialidestroyeth  the  idolaters,       23 

Judah  taken  captive,  24 

The  temple  destroyed,  25 


I        I.  CHRONICLES. — [1004  B.  C] 

'     '  lam'a  line  to  Noah,  1 


INDEX,  &c. 


CHAP. 
2 

3 

4 
5 
6 

7 


Tile  posterity  of  Israel, 

The  sons  of  David, 

The  posterity  of  Juda'.i, 

'('lie  line  of  Reuben, 

The  sons  of  Levi, 

The  sons  of  Issachar,  - 

Tliezoiis  of  Benjamin, 

Gt'nealogies  of  Israel  and  Judah,    9 

Saul's  overthrow  and  death, 

David  made  king  of  Israel, 

Tl5e  armies  that  helped  David, 

David  fetched  the  ark, 

liiram's  kindness  to  David, 

David  bringeth  the  ark  to  Zion, 

I'iivid's  psahiis  of  thanksgiving, 

r^'nthan's  message   to  David, 

David's  victories, 

David's  message  ill-treated, 

Rabbah  taken  and  spoiled. 


The  plague  stayed. 
Preparation  for  the  temple, 
-olomon  made  king, 
The  order  of  Aaron's  sons. 
The  number  of  the  singers, 
The  division  of  the  porters, 
•''be  tvvelve  captains, 
ivid'c  exhorti'.tion, 
J  \  id's  reign  and  death. 


CHAP. 

Ahaziah's  wicked  reign, 

22 

Joash  made  king. 

23 

Zechariah  stoned. 

24 

Tiie  Edomites  overcome, 

25 

Uziah's  leprosy, 

26 

Jotham's  good  reign. 

27 

Ahaz's  wicked  reign. 

28 

Hezekiah's  good  reign. 

29 

The  passover  proclaimed. 

30 

Provision  for  the  priests. 

31 

Hezekiah's  death, 

32 

Manasseh's  wicked  reign. 

33 

Josiah's  good  reign,  ' 

34 

Josiah  slain  in  battle. 

35 

Jerusalem  destroyed. 

3C 

11.  CHRONICLES. — [1015  E.  C] 

'  I'onion's  offering,  1 
i:,:on  sendetli  to  Hiram,  2 
building  of  the  templs,  3 
vessels  of  the  temple,  4 
,  toiiple  finished,  5 
Aivjn  Idesseth  the  people,  6 
.liKMV.-;  sacrifice,  7 
inc  5  buildeth  cities,  8 
'i  ii.  c    3a  of  Sheba  visiteth  Solo- 
mon., 9 1 
liihobui';  made  king,  10 
Jt  lali  et:v'n^ll>ened,  li  j 
lu  bob  ;ani's  reign  and  death,  I2i 
AUjali  "verc mill  Jereboam,  13| 
Asa  des;.  -vflh  i.'ilatry,  14 
Asa's  covi:iant  with  Col,  15' 
As;i's  death  and  burial,  16 
3elio?ajihat's  good  reign,  17l 
Miraih'o  p   'piiecy,  Ifi 
Tehosapliai  \s  car*  fjr  justice,  19 
tehosapliui's  laii  and  prayer,  20i 
'elionjn's  v.'cked  reign,  21' 


EZRA. — [536  B.  C] 

The  proclamation  of  Cjtus,''  1 

The  people  return  from  Babylon,  2 

The  altar  erected,  .3 

The  decree  of  Artaxerxes,  4 

Tatna's  letter  to  Darius,  5 

I  The  temple  finished,  6 

I  Ezra  goetli  to  Jerusalem,  7 

Ezra  keepetli  a  feast.^  8 

Ezra's  prayer,  9 

Ezra's  mourning,  10 

NEHEMIAH. — [146  B.  C] 

Nehemiah   mournetli  for  Jerusa- 
lem, 1 
Artaxei-xes   encourageth  Keliemi- 

ah,  2 

The  names  of  the  builder?,  3 

Nehemiah  appointelh  a  watch,  4 

Reformation  of  usury,  5 

Sanballat's  practices,  6 

Hanani  and  Hananiah's  charge,  7 

The  reading  of  the  law,  8 

A  solemn  fast  appointed,  9 

jTliepoiiits  of  ihecovenar.t,  10 

iWho  dwelt  at  Jerusalem,  11 

|The  high  priests  succession,  12 

Divers  abuses  reformed,  13 
!    • 

1  KSTHER. — [521b.    C] 

Ahasuevus'  royal  feast,  1 

Rstlier  made  queen,  2 

Han-.an  despised  by  Mordecai,  3 

The  nioumiug  of  the  Jews,  4 


INDEX,  &c. 


CHAP. 

Esther  oblainetli    the  king's  ftivor,    3r 
6 

7 


Rlordecai's  good  services, 
Hiiman  isjiunged, 
Tiie  rejoi(';ing  of  the  jews. 
Hamuli's  ten  sons  hanged, 
Moidecai's  advancement, 

JOB. — [520  B.  c] 

Job's  losses  and  temptations. 

Job  smitten  witli  biles, 

Job  ciirsetii  the  day  of  his  birth, 

Eliphaz  veproveth  Job, 

Afilictions  are  from  God, 

Job  wishelh  for  death, 

Job  excusedi  his  desire  of  des'.h, 

Bildad  sheweth  God's  justice. 

The  innocent  often  alilicted, 

Job  expostulateih  with  God, 

Zopliar  reprovetli  Job, 

God's  omnipotence  maintained. 

Job's  confidence  in  God, 

The  conditions  of  man's  life, 

Eliphaz  reproveth  Job, 

Job  reprovetli  his  friends 

Job's  appeal  to  God, 

Bildad  reproveth  Job, 

Job's  complaint  of  his  friends. 

The  portion  of  the  wicked. 

The  destruction  of  the  wicked, 

Job  accused  of  divers  sins, 

God's  decree  is  immutable. 

Sin  goeth  often  unpunished, 

Man   cannot  be  justified   before 

God, 
Job  reprovetli  Bildad, 
Tiie  hypocrite  is  without  hope. 

Wisdom  is  the  gift  of  God, 
Job  bemoaneth  liimself. 

Job's  honor  turned  to  contempt. 

Job  professeth  his  integrity, 

Elihu  reproveth  Job, 

Elihu  reasonelh  with  Job, 

God  cannot  be  unjuit. 

Comparison  not  to  be  made  witli 
God, 

The  justice  of  God's  ways, 

God's  great  works, 

God's  wisdom  is  unsearchable, 

God's  power  m  his  creatures,    . 

Jobhumbleth  himself  to  God, 

God's  power  in  the  creation, 

Job's  nge  and  death. 


PSALM 
PSALMS. — [1047  E.  C.J 


Happiness  of  the  godly,  1 

The  kingdom  of  Christ,  2 

9    The  security  of  God's  protection,  S 

10    David  prayetli  for  audience,  4 

David's  profession  of  his  faith,  5 

David's  complaint  in  sickness,  6 

The  destruction  of  the  wicked,  •  7 

ll  God's  love  to  man,  8 

2  God  praised  for  his  judgments,  9 

3  The  outrage  of  the  wicked,  10 

4  God's  providence  and  justice,  I'l 

5  David  craveth  God's  help,  12 

6  iDavid  boasteth  of  divine  mercy,  IS 

7  The  natural  man  describeti,  .  14 
S  A  citizen  of  Zion  described,  15 
9    David's  hope  of  his  calling,  16 

lOilDavid's  hope  and  confidence,  17 

llJ]David  praiseth  God,  18 

12  I  David  prayeth  for  grace,  19 

13 UThe  church's  confidence  in  God,  20 

14!  A  thanksgiving  for  victory,  21 

15  I  David's  complaint  and  prayer,  22 

16  ]  David's  confidence  in  God's  grace,  23 

17  God's  worship  in  the  world,  24 
18:  David's  confidence  in  prayer,  25 
19J  David  resorteth  imto  God',  28 

20  David's  love  to  God's  service,  27 

21  David  blessethGod,  28 

22  Why  God  must  be  honored,  29 

23  David's  praise  for  deliverance,  30 

24  David  rejoiceth  in  God's  mercy,  31 
Who  are  blessed,                     '  32 

25  God  is  to  be  praised,  33 

26  Those  blessed  who  trust  in  God,  34 
27j  David  prayeth  for  his  safety,  .  35 
28i  The  excellency  of  God's  mercy,  26 
29{ !  David  persuadeth  to  patience,  37 
30  'David  moveth  God  to  compassion  38 
311  The  hievity  of  life,  39 
S2i  Obedience  the  best  sacrifice,  40 
33i  God'.s  care  of  the  poor,  41 

34  Deivid's  zeal  to  serve  God,  42 
David  prayeth  to  be  lestorcd,  43 

35  The  church's  complaint  In  God,  44 

36  The  majesty  of  Christ's  kingdom,  45 

37  The  church's  confidence  in  God,  46 

38  The  kingdom  of  Christ,  47 
39'  The  privileges  of  the  church,  48 
40|  Worldly  prosperity  contemned,  49 
41  I  God's  majesty  in  the  church,  50 
42J I  David's  praytT  and  confession,  81 


2< 


INDEX,  &c. 


PSALMS.  I 

David's  confidence  in  God,  52 

The  natural  man  desciibed,  53 

David's  piayei' for  salvation,  54 

David's  complaint  in  prayer,  55 

David's  promise  of  praise,  56 

David  in  prayer  fleetli  lo  God,  67 

David  descrilielh  the  wicked,  58 

David  prayoth  for  deliverance,  59i 
Divid's  coniforc  in  God's   promis-      i 

es,  60  j 

David  voweth  perpetual  service,  61 

No  trust  in  worldly  things,  62 

David's  thirst  for  God,  63] 
David's  complaint  of  his  enemies,  64 

Tlie  blessedness  of  God's  chosen,  65 

David  exhorteth  to  praise  God,  66 

A  prayer  for  God's  kingdom,  67 
A  praver  at  the   removing  of  the     I 

Ark,  681 

David's  complaint  in  affliction,  69 

David's  prayer  for  the  godly,  70 

David's  prayer  for  perseverance,  71 

David's  prayer  for  Solomon,  >  72 

The  righteous  sustained,  ,  73 

David  prayeth  for  the  sanctuary,  74 

David  rebuketh  the  proud,  75 

God's  majesty  in  the  church  76 

David's  combat  with  diffidence,  77 

God's  wrath  agauist  Israel,  78 

*rhe  jjsalmists  complaint,  79 

David's  prayer  for  the  church,  SO 

An  exhortation  to  praise  God,  SI 

David  reproveth  the  judges,  82 

The  church's  enemies,  83 

David  longeth  for  the  sanctuary,  84j 

David  prayed  for  mercies,  85 

David's  complaint  oi  the  proud,  86l 
The;  nature  and   glory  of  tlie 

church,  S7 
David's  grevious  complaint,  88 
God  praised  for  his  power,  89 
God's  providence  set  forth,  90 
Tile  state  of  the  godly,  91 
God  praised  for  his  great  works,  92 
The  majesty  of  Christ's  king- 
dom, 93 
David's  complaint  of  impiety,  94 
The  danger  of  tempting  God,  95 
God  praised  for  his  greatness,  96 
The  majesty  of  God,  97 
All  creatures  exhorted   to  praise 

God,  98 

God  to  be  worshipped,  99 


PSALMS. 

God  to  be  praised  cheerfully,  100 

David's  profession  of  godliness,  101 

God's  mercies  to  be  recorded,  102 

God  blessed  for  his  constancy,  103 

God  wonderful  in  providence,  104 

The  plagues  of  Egypt,  105 

Israel's  rebellion,  106 

God's  manifold  providence,  107 

David's  confidence  in  God,  108 
David's  complaint  of  his  enemies,  109 

The  kingdom  of  Christ,  110 

God  praised  for  his  v/orks.  111 

The  happiness  of  the  godly,  112 

I  God  praised  for  his  mercy,  113 

An  exhortation  to  praise,  114 

The  vanity  of  idols,  115 

David  studieth  to  be  thankful,  116 
God  j)raised  for  his  mercy  and 

truth,  117 
David's  trust  in  God,  118 
Meditation,  prayer  and  praise,  119 
David  prayeth  against  Doeg,  120 
Thesafety  of  the  godly,  121 
David's  joy  for  the  church,  122 
The  godlv's  confidence  in  God,  123 
The  church  blesseth  God,  124 
A  praj'er  for  the  godly,  125 
The  church  prayeth  for  mercies,  126 
The  virtue  of  God's  blessing  127 
Those  blessed  that  fear  God,  128 
The  haters  of  tiie  churcli  cursed,  1 29 
God  to  be  hoped  in,  130 
David  professeth  his  humility,  13i 
David's  care  for  the  ark,  132 
The  benefits  of  the  saints'  com- 
munion, 133 
An  exhortation  to  bless  God,  134 
God  praised  for  his  judgments,  135 
God  praised  for  manifold  mer- 
cies, 136 
The  constancy  of  the  Jews,  137 
David's  confidence  in  God,  138 
David  defieth  the  wicked,  139 
David's  prayer  for  deliverance,  140 
David  prayelli  for  sincerity,  141 
David's  comfort  in  trouble,  142 
David  complaineth  of  his  grief,  143 
David's  prayer  for  his  kingdom,  144 
God's  help  to  the  godly,  145 
David  voweth  peijjetual  praise 

to  God,  146 

God  praised  for  his  providence,  147 

All  creatures  should  praise  God,  148 


INDEX,  &c. 


a4S 


PSALMS. 

Gofl  praised  for  his  benefits,         149 
God  praised  upon  instruments,      150 

THE  PROVERBS. — [1000  B.  C] 

The  use  of  the  proverbs,       chap.  1 
The  benefit  of  wisdom,  2 

Exhortation  to  sundry  duties,  3 

Persuasions  to  obedience,  4 

The  mischiefs  of  whoredom,  5 

Seven  things  hateful  to  God,  6 

Description  of  a  harlot, 
The  call  of  wisdom. 
The  doctrine  of  wisdom,  9 

Virtues  and  vices  contrasted,  10 

Continued,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16, 

17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24 
Observations  about  kings,  25 

Sundry  maxims,  26 

Sundry  maxims,  27 

Observations  of  impiety,  28 

Of  public  government,  29 

Agur's  prayer,  30 

Lemuel's  lessons  of  charity,  31 

ECCLESIASTES. — [977  B.  C.  ] 

The  Tanity  of  all  hnmaYi  things,  11 

Wisdom  and  folly  have  one  end,  2 

A  time  for  all  things,  3| 

The  good  of  contentment,  4 

The  vanity  of  riches,  5 

The  conclusion  of  vanities,  6 

Remedies  against  vanities,  7| 

Kings  are  to  be  respected,  8 

Wisdom  is  better  than  strength,  9 

Of  wisdom  and  folly,  10 

Directions  for  charity,  11 

The  preacher's  care  to  edify,  12 

SONG  OF  SOLOMON. — [1014  B.  C] 

The  church's  love  to  Christ,  1 

Christ's  care  of  the  church,  2 

The  church  glorieUi  in  Clirist;  3 

The  graces  of  the  church,  4 

Christ's  love  for  his  church,  5 

The  church's  faith  in  Christ,  6 

The  graces  of  the  church,  7 

The  calling  of  the  Gentiles,  8 


I3AIAS.--[760  B.  C] 

Isaiah's  complaint  of  Judah,  '         1 
Clirist's  kingdom  prophesied,  2 

The  oppression  of  the  rulers,  8 

Christ's  kingdom  a  sanctuaiy,  4 

JGod'i  judgments  (or  sin,  6 

Isaiah's  vision  of  God's  glory,  6 

Christ  promised,  7 

Israel  and  Judah  Uu-eatened,  8 

The  church's  joy  in  Christ's  birth,  9 
God  s  judgments  upon  Israel, 
The  calling  to  the  Gentiles, 
Thanksgiving  for  God's  mercies 
Babylon  tlireatened, 
Israel's  restoration. 
The  lamentable  state  of  Moab, 
Moab  exhorted  to  obedience, 
Syria  and  Israel  threatened, 
God's  care  of  his  people. 
The  confusion  of  Egypt, 
Egj'pt  and  Ethiopia's  captivity. 
The  fall  of  Babylon, 
The  invasion  of  Jewry, 
Tyre's  miserable  overthrow, 
Judgments  of  God  for. sin. 
The  prophet  praiseth  God, 
A  song  of  praise  to  God, 
God's  care  of  his  vineyard, 
Ephraim  threatened, 
God's  judgment  on  Jenisalem, 
God's  mercies  towards  his  church,  30 
An  exhortation  to  turn  to  God,  31 
Desolation  foreshown. 
The  privileges  of  the  godly, 
God  revengeth  liis  church. 
The  blessings  of  the  gospel, 
Rabshakeh  insulteth  Hezekiah, 
Hezekiah's  prayer, 
Hezekiah's  dianksgiving, 
Babylonian  captivity  foretold. 
The  promulgation  of  the  gosjjel, 
God's  mercies  to  his  church, 
Christ's  mission  to  the  Gentiles, 
God  comforteth  his  cluneh. 
The  vanity  of  idok, 
God  calleth  Cyrus, 
Idols  not  to  be  compared  with 

God, 
God's  judgment  upon  Babylon, 


21* 


INDEX,  &c. 


CHAP. 

The  intent  of  prophecy,  48 

Christ  sent  to  the  Gentiles,  49 

Christ's  siifieriiigs  and  patience,  50 

Tlie  certainty  of  God's  salvation,  51 

Christ's  free  redemption,  52 

The  humiliation  of  Christ,  53 

The  church's  enlargement,  54 

The  happy  state  of  believers,  55 

Exhortation  to  holineps,  56i 

God  reproveth  the  Jews,  571 

Hypocrisy  reproved  68 1 

The  covenant  of  the  Redeemer,  59 

The  glory  of  the  chmxh,  60 

The  office  of  Christ,  61; 

God's  promises  to  his  church,  62 

Christ  slieweth  his  power  to  save,  63, 

The  church's  prayer,  64 1 

The  calling  of  tlie  Gentiles,  65 

The  gi'owdi  of  tlie  church,  66 


JEREMIAH. — [629  B.  C] 

The  calling  of  Jeremiah,  1 

Israel  is  spoiled  for  his  sins,  2 

God's  mercy  to  Judah,  3 

Israel  called  to  repentance,  4 

God's  judgments  upon  the  Jews,  5 

Enemies  sent  against  Judali,  6 

Jeremiah's  call  for  repentance  7 

The  calamities  of  tlie  Jews,  8 

Jeremiah's  lamentation,  9 

The  vanity  of  idols,  10 

God's  covenant  proclaimed,  11 

The  prosperity  of  the  wicked,  12 

An  exhortation  to  repentance,  13 

The  prophet's  prayer,  14 

Jeremiah's  complaint,  15 

The  utter  ruin  of  tlie  Jews,  16 

The  captivity  of  Judah,  17 

The  type  of  the  potter,  18 

The  desolation  of  tlie  Jews,  19 

Pasliur  smiteth  Jeremiah,  20 

Nebuchadneizar's  war,  21 

The  judgment  of  Shallum,  22 

Restoiation  of  God's  people,'  28 

The  type  of  good  and  bad  figs,  24 

Jeremiah  reproveth  the  Jews,  25 

Jeremiah  is  arraigned,  26 

Nebuchadnezzar's  conquests,  27 

Hananiah's  prophecy,  28 

Jeremiah's  letter,  29 

The  return  of  the  Jews,  30 

The  restoration  of  Israel,  31 


CHAP. 

Jeremiah  imprisoned,  32 

Clirist  the  Branch  promised,  33 

Zedekiah's  fate  foretold,  34 

God  blcsseth  the  Rechabites,  35 

Jeremiah's  prophecies,  36 

The  Chaldeans'  siege  raised,  37 

Jeremiah  cast  into  a  dungeon,  3!3 

Jemealem  is  taken,  39 

Jeremiah  set  at  liberty,  40 

Ishmnel  killeth  Gedaliah,  41 

Johanan  promiseth  obedience,  42 

Jeremtiiah  carried  into  Egj'pt,  43 

Judah's  desolation,  44 

Barach  comforted,  45 

Overthrow  of  Pharaoh's  army,  46 

The  Philistines'  destruction,  47 

The  judgment  of  Moab,  48 

The  restoration  of  Elam,  49 

The  redemption  of  Israel,  50 

God's  severe  judgment  51 

Zedekiah's  wicked  reign  52 


LAMENTATIONS. — [584  B.  C] 

Jerusalem's  misery,  1' 

Israel's  misery  lamented,  2 

Sorrows  of  the  righteous,  3 

Zion's  pitiful  estate,  4 

Zion's  complaint,  5 

EZEKIEL. — [595  B.  C] 

Ezekiel's  vision,  ■  I 

JEzekiel's  commission  2 

Ezekiel  eateth  the  roll  3 

The  type  of  a  siege  4 

The  type  of  hair  5 

Israel  tlireatened  6 

Israel's  desolation  7 

Vision  of  jealousy  8 

The  marked  preserved  ft 

Visions  of  coals  of  fire  10 

The  princes'  presumption  11 

The  type  of  removing  12 

Lying  prophets  13 

Idolaters  exhorted  14 

The  rejection  of  Jerusalom  1 5 

God's  love  to  Jerusalem  16 

The  eagles  and  the  vine  17 

Parable  of  sour  grapes  18 

Of  the  lion's  whelps  19 

Israel's  rebellions  20 

Prophecy  against  Jerusalem  21 


INDEX.  &c. 


147 


CHAP. 

Jfliiisalem's  sins  22 

Alwlah  and  Aliolil)ah  23 

Jerusalem's  destruction  24 

Ammonites  tlireatened  25 

The  fall  of  Tyrus  26 

Tyriis'  rich  supply  27 

Zidon  tlireatened  28| 

Tlie  judgment  of  Pharaoh  29j 

Desolation  of  Egj'pt  30l 

The  giorv  and  fall  of  Assyria  31 

The  fall  of  Egypt             "  32 1 

Ezckiel  admonished  33 

God's  care  of  his  flock  34 

Judgment  of  Seir  35 

Israel  comforted  36 

Vision  of  dry  bones  37 

The  malice  of  Gog  38 

Israels  victory  over  Gog  39 

Description  of  the  temple  40 

Ornaments  of  tlie  temple  41 

The  priests'  chambers  42 

Return  of  God's  glory  43 

The  priests'  leproved  44 

Division  of  the  land  45 

Ordinances  of  the  princes  46 

Vision  of  the  holy  waters  47 

Portions  of  the  twelve  tribes  48 

DANIEL.— [607   B.   «.] 

Jehoiakim's  captivity  1 

Daniel  advanced  2 
Shadrach,  Meshach,  and   Abed- 

nego  3 
Nebuchadnezzar'  pride  and  fall         4 

Belshazzar's  impious  feast  5 

Daniel  in  the  lion's  den  6 

Vision  of  four  beasts  7 

Vision  of  the  ram  S 

Daniel's  confession  9 

Daniel  comforted  10 

Overthrow  of  Persia  11 

Israel's  deliverance  12 

HOSEA. — [785  B.   #.] 

Judgments  fur  whoredom  1 

The  idolatry  ef  the  people  2 

The  desolation  of  Israel  3 

Judgment  threatened  4 

Israel  a  treacherous  people  5 

Exhortation  to  repentance  6 


CHAr. 

Reproof  of  manifold  sins  7 

Israel  threatened  8 

Captivity  of  Israel  9 

Israel's  impiety  10 

Israel's  ingratitude  to  God  11 

Epbraim  removed  12 

Ephraim's  glory  vanished  13 

Blessings  promised  14 

JOEL. — [800  B.   «.] 

God's  simdry  judgments  1 

Exhortation  to  repentance  2 
God's    judgments     against      hia 

people's  enemies  8 

AMOS. — [736  B.  «.] 

God's  jndgment  upon  Syria  1 

God's  wrath  against  Sloab  2 

Judgments  against  Israel  3 

God  leproveth  Israel  4 

A  lamentation  for  Israel  5 

Israel's  vvantonDPss  plagued  6 

Judgments  of  llie  grassiioppers  7 

Israel's  end  typified  8 

Israel's  restoration  promised  9 

OBADIAH. — [587  B.   e.] 

Edora's  destruction  for  llieir  pride 

and  violence  1 

JONAH. — [862  B.  e.] 

Jonah  sent  to  Nineveh  1 

The  prayer  of  Jonah  2 

The  Ninevites'  repentance  3 

Jonah  repines  at  God's  mercy  4 

micAH. — [750  B.  0.] 

God's  wradi  against  Jacob  1 

Against  oppression  2 

The  cruelty  of  the  princes  8 

The  church's  glory  4 

The  birUi  of  Ciirist  6 

God's  controversy  6 

The  cliurch's  complaint  7 

HAHUM. — [713  1.  ej 


248 


INDEX,  &c. 


Tlie  majesty  of  God 

God's  armies  against  Nineveh 

The  ruin  of  Nineveh 


CHAP. 
1 

2 
3 


HABAKKUH, — [626  E.   C] 

Habakkuk's  complaint  1 

Judgment  on  the  Chaldeans  2 

Habakkuk's  prayer  S 

ZEPHANIAH. — [630  B.  C] 

God's  severe  judgments  1 

Exhortation  to  repentance  2 

Jerusalem  sliarply  reproved  S 

I 

HAGGAI. — [520  B.  C.)  I 

The  people  reproved  1 

Glory  of  the  second  temple  2 

ZECHARIAH. — [520  B.C.] 


Redemption  of  Zion 
The  type  of  Joshusi 
The  golden  candlestick 
Curse  of  thieves 
Vision  of  the  chariots 
Captives'  inquiry  of  fasting; 
Jerusalem's  restoratioT 
The  coming  of  Christ 
God  to  be  sought  imto 
Destruction  of  Jerusalem 
Judah's  restoration 
Jerusalem's  repentance 
Jerusalem's  enemies  plagued 

MALACHI. — [397  B.    C] 

Isr^iel's  unkindness 
The  priests  reproved 
The  majesty  of  Christ 
Judgments  of  the  wicked 


CRAP 

S 

4 

5 

« 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 


Exhortation  to  repentance  1| 

NEW  TESTAMENT. 

MATTHEW. — (A.   D.  88.) 

Chapter  I.  The  genealogy  of  Christ.  His  conception  and  birth.  His 
namea. 

n.  The  wise  men  coming  to  Christ,  worship  him.  Joseph  fleeth  into 
Egypt. 

ni.  John  preacheth.  His  apparel,  meat,  and  baptism.  He  reprehend- 
etli    the  Pharisees,  and  baptizeth  Christ  in  Jordan. 

IV.  Christ  fasteth,  is  tempted,  andoverconieth.  He  beginnedi  to  preach, 
and  calleth  some  to  be  iiis  disciples. 

V.  Who  are  blessed.  Apostles  are  the  light  of  tlie  world.  The  law 
expounded. 

VI.  Of  alms,  prayer,  forgiveness,  fasting,  our  treasure,  and  against 
worldly  care. 

VII.  Christ,  ending  hi.s  sermon  in  the  mount,  reprovetli  rash  judgment, 
forbiddetli  to  cast  holy  things  to  dogs,  exiiorteth  to  prayer,  to  enter  in  at 
the  strait  gate,  to  beware  of  false  jMophets,  and  not  to  be  hearers,  but  doers 
of  the  word. 

VHI.  Christ  cleanseth  the  leper,  liealetb  tlie  centurion's  servant,  Peter's 
innther-in-law,  and  many  other  diseased  ;  shewcth  how  he  is  to  be  f  jllow- 
ed;  stilletli  the  tempest  on  the  sea;  driveth  devils  out  ol'tv.o  men  possessed, 
and  suflfercth  them  to  go  into  the  swine. 

IX.  Christ  cnreth  the  palsy,  calleth  Mattliew,  eateth  with  publicans 
wid  sinners. 

X.  The  apostles  are  sent  to  do  miracles,  and  to  preach. 

XI      John  sendeth  his  disciples  to  Christ.     The  testimony  of  Chrirf  ccyo  - 


INDEX,  &c.  2« 

reveali,,.  the  «o.spe!  to  Hi  VH^I"  ^""^  P"^'^'*" '"«  Fatl.er's  wisdom  i„ 

of  SiniS:"'^  r ""  "'■  ^'"■'^'-     ^^«  -''-'e  of  .1.0  five  loaves,  and 
Xvi.   '^:Z7'jZT'^  T'^  ''ir^-    ^^'-tdcfiletl.a  ,„an. 

hi/^'"pa£:;::::;f if:^:r iS.S"'^'-  "^  ^^^-^"^  ^  '"-'-'^'  '^-"^"^th 

ing'oIetotlS'"'  '"'"'"'"  '^  '"^  ''""''^'^-     Touching  offences,  and  forgi.. 

betwlv.  ''^""■'  '"  ""  "'"^'"'•'^-     C'"-'^'  t^^^heth  Lis  disciples  to 

buS';,d^sellei  '''"''  '""^   '"""'^"  "P°"  ^°  -^'  -'d  -teth  out  the 
paS'^^blJVndT^l^^eSf-"-     '^^-^^'^^".-^-nt.     Of 

toSJe;,t  '^'^^'^-''-"f  ^e  tetnple  foretold.     Of  Christ's  coming 

d  J^L  J'the'^lLtj^dg^n^  ^^^   ^"■^°'"^'  ^'''^  °^  '"^  '=>'--     A1.0  the 

eaSp^e?1.:°^t^S^5;!r     •^"^--"-'^"^-    Ch.is. 
isSfi"-.    ^''-'- delivered  to  P,late.     Jndas  hangeth  hi.seff.     Chris. 

hiSJii.  aStSe;;:z:rb;pt£^'^'^^^^"'' '°  '^^  — '  ^'^'^  - 

MARE.— (A.  D.  65.) 

caS^Pei  aSSriJ  f  :^;  J^^  '  '^'^'^^''  ""'^'^^'  ^--''^^' 
wi"-p"Jl!ca^!:::dSa:;r"''''''^P^'^'  ^^"^^^  ^^«"^-.  -d  eateth 
coSed.'"'w,r;;::S,r£tSt  ^'"^^P-^'-  chosen.  The«c:-ib. 
gro^^J^^eJwllS^Ift  '"-"^"^  ^— '^     '^^  '"e   .eed 

n^iTeslSSlTgll;:"''"  ''°'''"°''  '^^^"■^'  ''-'^'he  bloody  issue,  and 
Vli    ^rhe  Vhif '"^  r"'/r ''!'  '=°™'0-men.     He  walketh  on  the  sea 

.igniu.ept'.w'^'''''''  P^'P'^  'niruculously,  and  refuseth  .0  give  a 


250  INDEX,  Sic. 

IX.  Jesus  transfjgni-ecl.  lie  forolelleth  his  death  and  res;uTection,  and 
givetli  divers  instructions  to  liis  disciples. 

X.  Touching  divorcement.  Little  children  brought  to  Christ.  Tlie 
danger  of  riches. 

XI.  Christ  ridctli  willi  tri'unph  into  Jerusalem.  He  ctirsetli  the  frtiit- 
les.s  fig-tree. 

XII.  The  pnr.-xhle  of  tlie  vineyard.  Tonching  the  paying  of  tribute, 
nnd  the  resurrection.     The  widow  and  her  mites. 

X!ii.  Tiie  destnictiou  of  the  tem,-:le.  Persecuiions  for  the  gospel. 
Grcm  oalainities  to  tlie  Jews.  Clirisl's  coming  to  judgment.  The  honr 
of  il   nnceriain.  ' 

XIV.  A  conspiracy  against  Christ.  A  woman  ponreth  ointment  on  his 
head.     Judas  selieth,  and  betrayolh  him.     Peter  thriec  denieth  him. 

XV.  Jesui;  brought  bound  and  accused  before  Pilate,  is  delivered  to  be 
crncilied,  han<jed  between  two  thieves,  and  is  honorably  buried. 

XVI.  Chrii'.'j  resurrection.     He  ascendeih  into  heaven. 

LUKE. — (a.  d.  63.) 

Chap.  I.  Luke's  preface.  The  conception  of  John  Baptist,  and  of 
Christ.  The  tiativity  aiid  circumcision  of  John.  The  prophesy  of  Zacharias. 

II.  Augustus  taxeth  all  the  Roman  empire.  Christ's  nativity.  His  cir- 
cumcision.    Simeon  and  Anna  j)ropliesy  of  Christ. 

in.  Joim's  preaching  and  baptism.  His  testimony  of  Christ.  Herod 
imprisonetii  Jolm.     Christ  is  baptized.     His  genealogy. 

IV.  Christ's  temptation  and  victory.  He  be^innetli  to  preach.  They 
at  Nazm'eth  admire  him.     He  curelh  divers  sick. 

V.  Christ  teacheth  out  of  Peter's  ship,  A  miraculous  draught  of  fishes. 
Th?  leper  cleansed.     The  palsy  hnaled.     Matthew  called. 

VI.  Touching  the  ears  of  corn  that  were  plucked  by  the  disciples  oni 
)he  sabbath.     Ciirist  chooseth  the  twelve. 

VII.  The  centiurlon's  faith.  Christ  raiseth  the  widow's  son,  answereth 
Jolui's  messengers,  and  giveth  testimony  of  him.  Mary  Magdalene  aiYoint- 
€th  Christ's  feet. 

Vin.  Women  minister  unto  Christ.  The  parable  of  ths  sower,  and 
K.>{  the  cafidle.     The  legion  of  devils. 

JX.  Christ  sendeth  out  his  apostles.  Herod  is  desirous  to  see  him. 
lli=  transfiguration.     He  hsaleth  a  liinatick. 

X.  The  seventy  disciples  sent  forth,  and  admonished.  Martha  repre- 
hended. 

XI.  Christ  teacheth  to  pray,  and  that  instantly.  He  castelh  out  a  dumb 
devil.  He  preachotli  to  the  people,  and  reproveth  the  Pharisees,  scribes, 
and  lawyers. 

XH.  To  avoid  hypocrisy  and  fearfuhicss  in  publislring  Christ's  doctrine. 
To  beware  of  C(jvetousnos.<,  and  over  carefulness.  T!ie  faithful  and  wise 
steuTU-fL 

Xllf.  Christ  preacheth  repentance  upon  the  punisliraent  of  the  Gali- 
leans, and  others.     The  fig-tree  cursed.     The  strait  gate. 

XIV.  Christ  teacheth  hir.nility,  and  to  li^ed  t'le  poor..  The  parable  of 
liie  great  supper.     ViT^lio  cannot  be  Christ's  disciples. 

XV.  llie  palrable  of  the  lost  sheep  :  Of  the  piece  of  silver  :  Of  tiie 
prodigal  son. 

XVi.  Of  the  unjust  steward.  The  hypocri.sy  of  the  covptcus  PliHiisa:^ 
fapnjved.     Tiis  rich  gliitto.'i,  and  Icizarus  the  beggar. 


INDEX,  fcc.  251 

XVII.  To  avoid  giving  ofience.  One  to  forgive  anotiicr.  The  ten 
lejicfs.     Of  tiic  kingdom  of  God,  and  the  coming  of  ilie  Son  of  man. 

XVIII.  'i'lie  impnitunate  widow.  Tl:e  Pha;-)nee  wnd  publican.  Chil- 
dren brouglit  to  Christ.    All  to  lyc  ion  fiir  Cln'ist. 

XIX.  Tlie  publican  Zaccheiip.  The  ten  pieces  of  money.  Chrin 
ridi^lli  into  Jerusalem,  weepetli  over  it,  and  pnrgeth  llie  temple, 

XX.  Chvi.^t  avoucbetli  liis  authority.  I'lie  paiuble  of  tlie  vineyard.  Of 
giving  tribute  to  Cuesar,     Of  the  rcsurrectiori. 

XXI.  The  desU'uction  of  the  temple  and  city  is  foretold.  The  signs 
of  the  last  d::y. 

XXII.  Jiidas  moved  to  betiay  Christ.  The  passover  jjrepared.  The 
Lord's  siipi)er  instituted. 

XXIII.  Jcsiis  is  accused  before  Pilate,  who  is  desirous  to  release  him. 
Tlie  destruction  of  Jeriifalcm  foretold.     Christ's  death  and  burial. 

XXIV.  Christ's  resurrection  declared  to  the  women.  He  himself  ap- 
i>earcifi,  givelh  a  charge  to  the  apostles,  and  asce.ndeth. 

JOHS. — (a.  d.  9S.) 

Chap.  I.  The  divinity,  humanity,  and  oflice  of  Jes'is  Christ.  The 
testimony  of  John.     Tiie  calling  of  Andrew,  Peter,  &c. 

If.  Christ  turnctt)  water  into  wine,  de|,artetli  into  Cspernaum,  and 
Jerusalem,  and  purgcth  the  teu^ple. 

III..  Christ  teaclic-tli  Nicodemus  the  necessity  of  regeneration.  The 
baptism,  witness,  am!  doctrine  of  John  concerning  Christ. 

IV.  Christ  talkctli  with  a  woman  of  Samaria.  His  disciples  marvel. 
Christ's  zeal  for  God's  glory.  He  dcparteth  into  Galilee,  and  hcaleth  the 
ruler's  son. 

V.  Jesus,  on  the  sabbath-day,  cureth  him  that  was  diseased  eight  and 
tliirty  years.     'J'he  Jews  cavil,  and  persecute  him  for  it. 

VI.  Christ  feedeih  five  thousand.  He  wiiiidraweth  himself.  The  peo- 
ple follow  him,  and  are  reproved  for  their  lieshly  liearts.  Many  disciples 
leave  him. 

VII.  Jesu.s  reprcvctli  bis  kinsmen  ;  gocth  imto  the  feast  of  tabernaclss  ; 
teacheth  in  the  temple.  Divers  opinions  of  Christ.  The  Phaiisees  are 
ar.gry  at  their  ofiicrr.s,  and  at  Nicodemus. 

VIII.  Christ  dclivereth  the  woman  taken  in  adukcry.  He  preacheth 
himself  the  light  of  the  world,  and  justifieth  his  doctrine. 

IX.  He  that  was  born  blind  is  restored  to  sight.  He  is  brought  to  the 
Pliarisees.  They  excommunicate  liim.  Christ  receiveth  him,  and  he  con- 
fesseih  Christ. 

X.  Cliiist  is  the  door,  and  the  good  shepherd.     Divers  opinions  of  him. 
le  provelh ,  by  his  works,  that  he  is  (jhrist. 

XI.  Christ  raisedi  Lazarus.  The  priests  and  Fliarisees  gatlier  a  coun- 
<il  against  him. 

XII.  Jesus  excuseth  Mary  anointing  his  ftet.  He  rideth  into  Jesrusalem. 

XIII.  Jesus  washeth  his  disciples'  feet,  and  exhorteth  them  to  humility 
and  charity  :  He  forewarneth  Peter  of  bis  denial. 

XIV.  Christ  comfoiteth  his  disciples  ;  professeth  himself  the  way,  the 
truth,  and  the  life. 

XV.  The  mutual  love  between  Christ  and  his  members,  under  the  pai-a- 
ble  of  the  vine. 

XVI.  Christ  comforteth  his  disciples  against  tribulation,  by  the  prorobie 
ef  tlie  Holy  Ghost. 


252  INDEX,  &c. 

XVII.  Christ  prayedi  to  his  Father  to  glorify  hi.ia,  and  to  preserve  his 
apostles  in  unity,  and  i>i  !:'utli. 

XVIII.  Judas   betrayeth  Jesus.     Peter  dcnieth  him.     He  is  arraigned 
hsfove  Pilatc<. 

XIX.  Ciirist  is  scourged,  crowned  witli  thorns,  beaten,  and  crucified. 
He  dieth,  and  is  buried  by  Joseph  and  IVicodemus. 

XX.  Jesus  appeareth  unto  Mary,  and  to  his  disciplee.     Tliomas'  iih- 
credLility  and  confession. 

XXI.  Christ,  appearing  again,  givetli  Peter  a  charge  ;    and  rebuketh 
hLs  curiosity. 

ACTS. — (a.  d  33.) 

Chap.  I.    A   repetition   of  part  of  Christ's  history.     Matthias  chosen 
into  the  apostleship. 

II.  The  apostles  filled  witli  the  Holy  Ghost,  speak  divers  languages. 

III.  Peter  and  John  [estore  a  lame  man,  ascribing  tiie  cure  to  the  name 
of  Jesus,  and  exhorting  to  repentance. 

IV.  Peter,  and  John  imprisoned.     Their  defence.    They  aie  threatened. 

V.  The   det  ih  of  Ananias  and   Sapphira.     The  apostles   imprisoned 
again,  and  deu.ered. 

VI.  Deacons  chosen .     Stephen  falsely  accused  of  blasphemy. 

VII.  Step'icn  answerelh  to  his  accusation.     They  stone  him  to  death. 

VIII.  The  church  planted  in  Samaria,  is  confirmed  by  Peter  and  John. 
Philip  sent  lo  baptize  an  eunuch. 

IX.  Saul  going  towards   Damascus,   is  called  to  the  apostleship.     The 
Jews  lay  wait  for  him      Tabitha  raised.   • 

X.  Coruelius  sendeth  for  Peter.     His  vision. 

XI.  Peter  accused,  defendeth  himself. 

XII.  Herod  persecuteth  the  Christians.  His  pride,  and  miserable  death. 

XIII.  Paul  and  Barnabas  go  to  the  Gentiles.     The  Gentiles  believe. 

XIV.  Paul  and  Barnabas  are  persecuted.     Paul,  healing  a  cripple,  tlicy 
are  reputed  as  gods. 

XV.  Disseotion  about  circumcision.     The  apostles  consult  about  it,  &c. 

XVI.  Paul  circuniciseth  Timothy,  converteth  Lydiu,  and  castedi  out  a 
spirit  of  divination. 

XVII.  Paul  preacheth  at  Thessalonica,  Berea,  and  at  Athens.     Some 
are  converted. 

XVIII.  Paul  laboreih  wirii  his  hands,  and  preaching  at  Corinth,  is  en- 
couraged in  a  vision. 

XIX.  The  Holy  Ghost  is  given  by  Paul's  hands. 

XX.  Paul  goeth  to   ."Vlaccdonia.     At   'I'roas  he  ceiebrateth  tlie  Lord's 
Supper,  preacheth,  and  raiseth  Eutychus  to  life. 

XXI.  Paul  will  not  be  dissuaded  frcni  going  to  Jerusalem.     Piiilip's 
daughters,  prophetesses. 

XTII.     Paul  declaiieth   his  conversion.     He  escapelh  scourging  by  tlie 
privilege  of  a  Roman. 

XXIII.  Paul  pleadeth  his  cause.     Dissension  among  his  accusas.    He 
is  sent  to  Felix. 

XXIV.  Paul  accused  by  Tertullus,answereth  for  himself. 

XXV.  Paul  accused  by  the  .Tews  befor  ;  Festus,  app-aleth  untoCsesar. 

XXVI.  Paul,  before  Agrippa,  declareth  his  life,  f.nd  his  conversion 
Fesi'w  chargeth  him  with  madrcss. 

XXVn.     Paul,  shipping  towaids  Ro.-ae,  foretelJeth  tl\e  danger  of  the 


INDEX,  &c.  253 

"voyage,  but  is  not  believed.    Thiey  are  tossed  with  a  tempest,  and  are  ibip- 
wrecked  ;  yet  all  come  safe  to  land. 

XXVIII.  Paul  is  entertained  by  the  barbarians.  He  healeth  many  in 
the  island.     They  uepart  towards  Rome. 

ROMANS. — (A.  D.  60.) 

Chap,  I.  Paul's  calling  commended.  What  his  gospel  is.  God's 
anger  at  sin.     The  Gentiles'  sins. 

II.  They  that  condemn  sin  in  odiers,  and  yet  sin,  are  inexcusable, 
whether  Jews  or  Gentiles. 

III.  The  Jews  preroijative.     None  justified  by  the  law,  but  all  by  faiUi. 

IV.  Abraham's  faith  wjis  imputed  to  him  for  righteousness,  aiid  so 
ehall  ours. 

V.  Being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God.  Sin  and  death 
came  by  Adam,  righteousness  and  life  by  Christ. 

VI.  We  must  not  live  in  sin,  nor  let  sin  reign  in  us.  Deajth  is  the 
wages  of  sin. 

VII.  No  law  hath  power  over  a  man  longer  than  he  liveth.  The  law  is 
not  sin,  but  holy,  just,  and  good. 

VIII.  Who  are  free  from  condemnation.  What  harm  cometh  of  the 
flesh,  and  what  good  of  the  Spirit,  and  what  of  being  God's  children. 

IX.  Paul's  sorrow  for  the  Jews.  All  Abraham's  seed  were  not  the 
childi'en  of  the  promise.  Tlie  calling  of  the  Gentiles,  and  rejection  of 
the  Jews. 

X.  The  difterence  of  the  righteousness  of  the  law,  and  that  of  faith.  No 
believer  shall  be  confounded,  whether  Jew  or  Gentile. 

XI.  God  hath  not  cast  off  all  Israel.  Some  were  elected,  the  rest  were 
liardened.     The  Gentiles  may  not  insult  upon  them. 

XII.  Pride  forbidden.  Several  duties  enjoined.  Revenge  specially 
forbidden. 

XIII.  Of  dutie.<!  to  magistrates.  Lovo  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law. 
Against  gluttony,  drunkenness,  &c. 

XIV.  Men  may  not  contemn  or  condeir  a  one  another  for  things  indif!^c- 
ent,  but  take  heed  of  giving  offence  in  thoin. 

XV.  The  strong  must  bear  with  the  weitk.  .We  may  not  please  oiB'- 
selvea  ;  but  receivi^  one  another,  as  Christ  did  us  all. 

XVI.  Paul  senduth  greeting  to  many,  ajid  eudcUi  with  praise  and 
thanks  to  God. 

1.    CORINTHIANS. — (a,  D.    59.) 

Chap.  I.  After  salutation  and  thanksgiving,  he  exhorteth  to  unity,  and 
reprovelh  their  dissensions.     Gr  ]  destroyeth  the  wisdom  of  the  wise. 

II.  Fa-i  deolarelh  that  hi;-'  preaching  far  excelleth  all  human  wi.-dora. 

III.  Milk  is  lit  for  children.  Against  divisions.  Men  the  temples  of 
God.    Against  conceit. 

IV.  H<iw  to  account  of  ministers.  We  have  nothing  which  we  have 
not  received.    The  apostles  are  our  fathers  i.i  Christ. 

V.  The  incestuous  person.  The  old  leaven  must  be  purjed  out.  Heia- 
008  offenders  are  to  be  a\oided. 

VI.  Of  going  to  law  with  the  brethren.  Our  bodies  are  Christ's 
membera,  no 


t5i  INDEX,  &c. 

VII.  Of  marriage.  It  is  a  remedy  against  fornication,  and  not  light]* 
to  be  disBolved. 

VIII.  To  abstain  from  meats  offered  to  idol3.  We  must  not  abuse  our 
Christian  libfvty. 

IX.  Paul  plieweth  his  liberty.  Minlstei-s  ought  to  live  by  the  gospel. 
Life  is  likcLi  race. 

X.  The  Jews'  sacraments,  types  of  ours  ;  and  their  punishments,  our 
examples. 

XI.  Oi  covering  heads  in  praying.  Of  profaning  the  Lord's  supper. 
The  apostle's  acc:ount  of  the  institution  of  it. 

XII.  Spiritual  gifts  are  diverte,  ytt  all  to  profit  witlial  ;  Christians,  as 
tlie  meiabery  of  ilie  body  natural,  are  one. 

XIII.  All  gifts,  how  excellent  soever,  are  nothing  worth  without  charity. 
The  praises  tliereuf. 

XIV.  Prophecy  is  commended,  and  preferred  before  speaking  with 
tongues . 

XV.  By  Christ's  resurrection,  he  proveth  the  necessity  of  our  resurrec- 
tion. The  fruit,  and  manner  thereof,  and  of  the  change  of  them  that  shall 
be  alive  then. 

XVI.  The  brethren's  wants  must  be  relieved.  Timothy  commended. 
Friendly  admonitions  and  salutations. 

II.    COKISTIIIANS. — (A.  D.  60) 

Chap.  I.  The  apostle  encourageth  them  against  troubles,  and  sheweth 
the  sincerity  of  his  preariiirg.    He  excuseth  his  not  coming  to  them. 

II.  'I'iie  reasons  of  his  not  coining  unto  them.  Of  tlie  excommunicated 
person.    The  success  of  bis  pieacliirig  in  every  place. 

III.  A  commendation  "f  Paul's  ministry.  A  comparison  betwixt  the 
ministers  of  the  law  and  the  go.spcl. 

IV.  Paul's  sincerity  au;l  diligence  in  preaching,  and  his  troubles  for 
the  same. 

V.  In  hope'of  immortal  glory,  an'l  in  expectance  of  it,  and  of  the  general 
judgment,  Panil  laborslh  to  keep  a  good  conscience. 

VI.  Of  Paul's  faithluhiess  in  tlie  miaistry.  Exhortation  to  avoid 
idolaters. 

VII.  Paul  exhorteth  'to  purity,  and  sheweth  what  comfort  he  took  in 
afflictions. 

VIII.  He  stirreth  them  up  to  contribute  to  the  saints,  commendeth  Titus 
and  otliers. 

IX.  He  sheweth  why  he  sent  Titus,  and  stirreth  them  up  to  be  bountiful 
in  alms,  which  shall  yield  them  a  bountiful  increase. 

X.  Paul's  spiritual  might  and  authority.  Not  to  stretch  beyond  our 
compass. 

XI.  Paul,  being  forced,  entereth  into  a  commendation  of  himse'f,  and 
comparison  with  the  othor  apostles. 

XII.  Paul  commendeth  his  apostleship,  not  by  his  re^'elations,  but  by 
bis  infirmities,  blaming  tlienj  for  forcing  this  boasting. 

XIII.  Paul  threateneth  obstinate  sinners.  He  adviseth  lliem  to  a  trial 
of  their  faith. 

GALATIANS. — (A.  D.  5S.) 

Chaf.  I.  Paul  wondereth  that  they  have  so  soonldft  him  and  the  go«-. 
p*l,  which  he  learned,  uut  of  men,  but  of  God, 


INDEX.  &c.  255 

II.  Paul  sheweth  wlien  he  went  up  again  Jo  Jei-uealem,  and  why.  O 
justification  by  faith,  and  not  by  works.  They  that  are  bo  justified,  liv4 
not  in  sin.  ,     ,  .  ,         i  ,        j 

III.  Paul  asketli  wiiat  moved  them  to  leave  the  faith,  and  depend  on 
tlie  law.     Thoy  that  believe  are  justified,  and'b'essed  with  Abraham. 

IV.  We  were  under  the  law  till  Christ  came,  but  Christ  freed  us.  Wo 
aj-e  the  sons  of  Abraham  by  the  fres-woman. 

V.  Paul  moveth  tliem  to  stand  in  their  liberty,  and  not  to  observe  cir 
cuincision;  but  raiher  love. 

VI.  Paul  wllleih  them  to  deal  mildly  with  a  brother  that  hath  slipped, 
to  be  liberal  to  their  teachers,  and  not  to  be  weary  of  well-doing. 

EPHESIANS. — (a.  D.  64.) 

Chap.  I.  Of  election,  and  adoption,  which  is  the  fountam  of  man's 
salvation. 

II.  What  we  were  by  nature,  and  what  we  are  by  grace.  We  are 
created  for  good  works. 

III.  The  hidden  mystery,  that  the  Gentiles  should  be  saved 

IV.  Paul  exhorteth  to  unity.  Why  men  have  different  gifts.  The  old 
man  to  be  put  off,  with  lying,  and  all  corrupt  communication. 

V.  Paul  exhorteth  to  charity,  to  flee  fornication.  The  duties  of  wives 
and  husbands. 

VI.  The  duty  of  children,  of  servants.  Our  life  is  a  warfare.  Ihe 
Christian's  armour. 

PH1LIPPIA5S. — (a.  D.  64) 

Chap.  I.  Paul's  tliankfulness  and  prayers  to  God  for  the  Philippians. 
His  readiness  to  suffer.     He  e.xhorteth  them  to  walk  worthily. 

II.  Paul  exhorteth  to  unity  and  hnmilily,  and  to  a  c.ireful  proceeding  in 
the  way  of  salvation. 

III.  Paul  warneth  them  of  false  teachers,  and  to  decline  the  ways  of 
carnal  Christians. 

IV.  Paul  exciteth  to  steadftstness  in  Clirist,  and  after  some  partici/>ar 
admonitions,  exhorteth  generally  to  religious  joy,  &e. 

COLOSSIANS. — (a,  d.  64.) 

Chap.  I.  Paul  thanketh  God  for  their  faith,  prayeth  for  their  increase 
»n  grace,  and  describeth  the  true  Christ. 

II.  Paul  exhorteth  them  to  constancy  in  Qirist  ;  to  beware  of  philoso- 
phy and  vain  traditions,  worshippinsjof  angels,  and  legal  ceremonies. 

III.  Paul  shewedi  wlieie  to  seek  Christ.  He  exhorteth  to  mortification, 
10  charily,  humility,  and  sundry  general  and  particular  dutiss. 

IV.  Paul  cxlioVteth  to  fervency  in  prayer,  and  to  walk  wisely  towards 
iheni  that  do  not  yet  know  Christ. 

I.  thessai.omaks. — (a.  d.  54.) 

i^HAP.  I.  He  slieweth  his  mindfulness  ot  them  in  thanksgiving  and 
prayer,  and  persuasion  of  their  sincere  faith  and  conversion. 

11.  How  the  gospel  was  preached  unto  them,  and  how  they  received  il 
Why  he  was  desirous  to  see  them. 


256  INDEX,  &c. 

V 

III.  Paul's  love  in  sending  Timolliy  to  tliem.  His  joy  far  tliem,  and 
desire  to  see  them. 

IV.  Paul  exliorteth  to  go  on  in  godliness,  to  holiness,  to  love,  to  quiet- 
ness, to  moderate  son-ow  for  the  dead.  Of  tlie  resurrection,  and  of  tl»e 
last  judgment. 

V.  Paul  proceedeth  in  flie  description  erf  Christ's  second  coming  to 
judgment,  and  giveth  divers  precepts,  and  so  concluded!. 

II.  THESSALONIANS. — (a.  D.  54.) 

Chap.  I.  Paul  sheweth  his  good  opinion  of  their  faith,  love,  and  pa- 
tience ;  and  comforteth  them  against  persecuiion. 

II.  He  willeth  them  to  continue  steadfast  in  the  truth  received,  shewing  " 
that  there  shall  be  a  departure  from  the  faith,  and  a  discovery  of  Antichrist 
before  the  day  of  the  Lord  come. 

III.  Paul  craveth  their  prayers,  testifieth  his  confidence  in  them,  giveth 
fhem  divers  precepts,  especially  to  shun  idle  and  ill  comptiny. 

I.  TIMOTHY. — (A.  D.  65.) 

Chap,  I.  Timothy  is  put  in  mind  of  the  charge  which  was  given  unto 
him  by  Paul.     The  end  of  the  law.     Paul's  calling  to  be  an  apostle. 

II.  Prayers  to  be  made  for  all  men,  anrl  tiie  reason  why.  How  women 
should  be  attired.    They  are  not  permitted  to  teach, 

III.  How  bishops  and  deacons  and  their  wives  should  be  qualified,  and 
to  what  end  Saint  Paul  wrote  to  Timothy  of  these  things. 

IV.  Paul  foretcUeth  that  in  tlie  latter  times  there  siiall  be  a  departure 
from  the  faith. 

V.  Rules  to  be  obsen'ed  in  reproving.     Of  widows.     Of  elders, 

VI.  Servants'  duties.  To  avoid  new-fangled  teachei-s.  The  gain  of 
godliness. 

II.  TIMOTHY. — (a.  d.  66.) 

Chap.  I.  Paul's  love  to  Timothy,  and  Timothy's  Hiith.  Paul  giveth 
divers  exhortations.     Of  Phygellus  and  Hermogenes. 

II.  Timothv  exJiorteth  to  constancy  and  perseverance,  and  to  shew  him- 
self approved. 

III.  Paul  advertiseth  him  of  tlie  times  to  come,  descrilxitli  the  enemies 
of  the  truth,  and  commendeth  the  holy  scriptnrps 

IV.  Paul  exhorleth  Timothy.  He  willeth  hira  to  come  to  him,  and  to 
bring  Mark,  and  things  which  he  wrote  for. 

TITUS. — (a.  d.  65t) 

Chap.  I.  V/hy  Titus  was  left  in  Crete.  How  ministers  should  Ije 
qualified.     Of  evil  doers. 

II.  Directions  given  to  Titus,  both  for  his  doctrine  and  life.  Of  lite 
duty  of  servants. 

III.  Titus  directed  what  to  teach,  to  reject  obstinate  heretieks.  The 
conclusion. 

PHILEMON. — (A.  D.  64.) 

Ohap.  I.  Paul  desireth  Philemon  to  forgive  his  servanr,  and  loviiigty 
to  receive  him  again. 


INDEX,  &c.  367 

HEBREWS. — (a.  D.  64.) 

Chap  I.  Christ,  in  these  last  times,  coming  to  U3  from  the  Father,  is 
preferred  before  anjels  both  in  person  and  office. 

II.  We  ought  to  be  obedient  unto  Christ  Jesus,  because  he  vouclisaifed 
to  take  our  nature  upon  him,  as  necessary. 

III.  Christ  is  more  worthy  tiian  Moses  ;  tlierefore  if  we  believe  not  in 
him,  we  shall  be  more  worthy  of  punishment  tl:aQ  hard-hearted  Israel. 

IV.  The  rest  of  christians  is  attained  by  iaith.  The  power  of  God'« 
word.  By  our  high  priest,  Jesus  the  Son  of  GcJ,  subject  to  indrmities,  but 
not  to  sin,  we  must,  and  may  go  boldly  to  the  tiirone  of  grace. 

V.  The  autliority  and  honor  of  our  Saviour's  priesthood.  Negligencp 
in  the  knowledge  thereof  reproved. 

VI.  Paul  exhorteih  not  to  fall  back  from  the  faith,  but  to  be  steadfast, 
diligent  and  patient  to  wait  upon  God,  because  God  is  most  sure  in  bia 
promise. 

VII.  Clirist  Jesus  is  a  priest  after  the  order  of  Melchisedec,  and  so  far 
more  excellent  than  the  priest  of  Aaron's  order. 

VIII.  By  Christ's  eternal  priesthood  the  Levitical  priesthood  is  abolish- 
ed, and  the  temporal  covenant  by  the  eternal  covenant. 

IX.  The  rites  and  bloody  sacrifices  of  the  law,  far  inferior  to  the  bk)od 
and  sacrifice  of  Christ. 

X.  The  weakness  of  the  law-sacrifices.  The  sacrifice  of  Christ's  body 
once  offered,  for  ever  hath  taken  away  sins. 

XI.  What  faith  is.  Without  faith  we  cannot  please  God.  The  fruita 
thereof. 

XII.  An  exhortation  to  constant  faith,  patience,  and  godliness.  A  com- 
mendation of  the  new  testament  above  the  old. 

Xlil.  Motives  to  charity,  to  honest  life,  to  avoid  covetousness,  to  re- 
gard God's  preachers,  to  take  heed  of  strange  doctrines,  to  confess 
Christ,  Sec. 

JAMES. — (A.  D.  €0.) 

Chap.  I.  We  must  ask  wisdom  of  God,  hear  the  word,  and  do  it. 
What  true  religion  is. 

II.  We  must  not  despise  the  poor.     Faith  without  works,  is  deaiJ. 

III.  We  are  not  rashly  nor  arrogantly  to  reprove  others  :  but  ratliei 
to  bridle  the  tongue.  The  truly  wise  are  mild  and  peaceable,  without 
envying  and  strife. 

IV.  Against  covetousness,  intemperance,  pride,  detraction,  and  rash 
judgment. 

V.  Wicked  rich  men  are  warned  of  Go<l's  impending  judgments.  The 
brethren  are  exhorted  to  patience  after  the  example  of  liie  prophets  and  of 
Job;  to  abstain  from  swearing;  to  pray  in  affliction  and  sickness,  and 
iing  psalms  in  prosperity. 

1.   PETER. — (a.  d.  60.) 

Chap.  I.  He  blesseth  God  for  his  manifold  spiritual  graces;  sheweth 
that  die  salvation  in  Christ  is  no  news,  but  a  thing  prophesied  of  old ;  and 
exhorteth  them  to  a  godly  conversation. 

II.  He  dissuadeth  tliein  from  the  breach  of  charity.  H-e  beseecholh 
them  also  to  abstain  from  fleshly  lusts,  to  be  obedient  to  magistrates  ;  and 

22« 


258  INDEX,  &c. 

leacheth  servants  how  to  obey  their  masters,  patiently  snfferiiig  for  well- 
doing, after  the  example  of  Christ. 

HI.  He  teaclieth  the  duty  of  wives  and  husbands;  exhorting  all  men  to' 
unity  and  love,  and  to  suffer  persecution.  The  benefits  of  Clirist  towards 
the  old  world . 

IV.  Peter  exhorteth  thera  to  cease  from  sin  by  the  example  of  Christ, 
e!>d  the  consideration  of  the  general  end  that  now  approachetb. 

v.  Peter  exiiorletli  the  elders  to  feed  their  flocks;  the  younger  to  obey ; 
and  all  to  be  sober,  and  watchful,  &c. 

II.    PETER. — (A.  D.  GO.) 

'  Chap.  I.  Peter  exhorteth  them  by  faith  and  good  works  to  make  their 
calling  sure;  as  knowing  that  his  death  is  at  hand  ;  and  warneth  them  to 
be  constant  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  who  is  the  true  Son  of  God. 

II.  Peter  foretelleth  of  false  teachers,  their  impiety  and  punishment  ; 
from  which  the  godly  shall  be  delivered,  as  Lot  out  of  Sodom;  and  more 
fijliy  describetli  the  manners  of  tJiose  profane  and  blasphemous  seducers. 

III.  The  certainty  of  Ciirist's  couiing  to  judgment.  The  manner  how 
the  world  shall  be  destroyed-     An  eKhurtatiou  to  godliness.      , 

I.   JOHN. — (A.  D.    90.) 

Chap.  I.  John  describeth  the  person  of  Christ,  in  whom  we  have  eter- 
nal life  by  a  communion  with  God  ;   to  which  we  must  adjoin  holiness. 

II.  Comfort  against  sins  of  infirmity.  To  know  God,  is  to  keep  bis 
commandments.  To  beware  of  seducers  ;  from  whose  deceits  the  godly  are 
safely  preserved  by  faith  and  holiness  of  life. 

III.  John  declareth  the  lingular  love  of  God  towards  us  in  making  us 
his  sons  ;  we  therefore  ought  obediently  to  keep  his  commandinents,  as  also 
brotherly  to  love  one  another. 

IV.  John  warneth  them  not  to  believe  all  teachers  who  boast  of  the 
Spirit,  but  to  try  them  by  the  rules  of  the  catholick  fiith  ;  and  by  many 
reasons  exliortetli  to  brotherly  love. 

V.  He  that  loveth  God,  lovpth  his  children  and  keepeth  his  command- 
ments; which  to  the  faithful  are  light,  and  not  grievous.  Jesus  is  the  Sou 
of  God,  able  to  save  us,  aud  to  hear  our  prayers,  which  we  make  for  oiir- 
lelres,  and  for  others. 

II.    JOHN. — (A.  D.  SO.) 

Chap.  I.  John  exhorteth  a  certain  honorable  matron  with  her  children 
to  perflCfsre  in  christian  love  and  belief,  le.st  they  lose  the  reward  of  theu" 
former  profession  ;  and  to  have  nod)ing  to  do 'with  those  seducers  that  bring 
not  'die  true  doctrine. 

in.    JOHN. — (A.  D.  60.) 

Chap.  I.  John  cammendeth  Gaius  for  his  piety,  and  hospitality,  to 
Irue  preachers  ;  conrplaining  of  the  unkind  dealing  of  ambitious  Diotre- 
phes  oai  tlie  contrary  side. 

JUDE. — (a.  d.  66.) 
Cbap.  I.     Jude  exhor*£lb  them  to  be  constant  in  the  profession  of  faitii 


INDEX,  fcc.  2I» 

False  teachers  are  crept  in  to  seduce  them;  for  whose  evil  doctrine  and 
m^e^  horrible  punishment  is  prepared  ;  whereas  Uie  godly  by  the  assist 
rn^oFAe  Holy  Spirit,  and  prayei.  to  G.d.  may  persevere  and  grow  u. 
IJl^e;  and  recover  oU.ei^  out  of  the  snares  of  those  deceivers. 

KKTELATION. — (A.  D.  96.) 

Chap  1      John  writeUi  his  revelation  to   die  seven  churches  of  Asia, 
'   OTified  bv  the  seven  golden  candlesticks.    The  commg  of  Christ. 
^I      wLt  is  commanded  to  be  written  to  the  angels  <that  is.  die  miO- 
sters.)  of  the  churches  of  Epliesus,  Smyrna,  Pergamos.  ThyaHra,  &c. 

III.  The  angel  of  the  church  of  Sardis  is  reproved,  of  Philadelphia 
aDoroved,  of  Laodice;!  rebuked.  „,,      /.  j   ♦'„„,„ 

'^IV  John  seeth  the  throne  of  God  in  heaven.  The  four  and  twenty 
elders.    The  four  beasts  fi.ll  of  eyes  before  and  behind,  &«.  . 

V.     The  book  sealed  with  seven  seals  ;  which  only  the  Lamb  is  worthy 

*"  V^°'The  opening  of  the  seals  in  order,  and  what  followed  thereupon 
VII      An  angel  sealedi  llie  servants  of  God  in  their  foreheads.     The 

number  of  them  that  were  sealed  ;  of  all  nations  an  innumerable  muhitude. 
Vni.     At  tlie  opeuing  of  the  seventh  seal,  seven  angels  have  seven  trum- 

•"ll"  At'tte'soundingof  the  fifth  angel,  a  star  falleth  from  hea^n  to 
whom  is  given  the  key  of  the  bottomless  pit ;  the  first  woe  past.  The  sixth 
trumpet  soundeth.     Four  angels  are  let  loose. 

X  A  mighty  strong  angel  appeaveth  widi  a  book  open  m  his  hand. 
John  is  commanded  to  take  and  eat  the  book.  ,„,•„.  ti.- 

XI  The  two  witnesses  prophesy.  The  beast  shall  k.U  them.  The 
second  woe  past.     The  seventh  trumpet  soundeth.  ^ 

XII  A  woman  clodied  with  the  sun  travaileth.  The  great  red  dragon 
standeth  before  her,  ready  to  devour  her  child .  She  fleeth  into  the  wilder 
necs      Michael  and  his  angels  fight  wiOi  the  dragon,  and  prevail. 

XIII  A  beast  risedi  out  of  tlie  sea  with  seven  heads  and  ten  horns,  to 
whom  the  dragon  giveth  his  power.  Another  beast  coraeth  up  out  ot  tUe 
earth ;   causeth  an  image  to  be  made  of  the  former  beast,  &c. 

ICIV  The  Lamb  standeth  on  mount  Sion  with  his  company  ;  an  angel 
preacheth  tlie  gospel.     The  fall  of  Babylon.      The  harvest  of  the  world. 

'''irX'^eeLtglirlriit'^even  last  plagues.    The  song  of  them 

^'xrrThe'tget  pour  oat  their  vials  fuU  of  u-ralh  ;  the  plagues  that 

'""xVn'Twomanarrraved  in  purple  and  scarlet,  sitteth  upon  Uie  beast, 
which  is  ereat  Babylon.     The  victory  of  the  L.imb.  .  - 

XV  II  Babylon  is  fallen.  The  people  of  God  commanded  to  go  ou 
of  her.     The  kings  of  the  earth,  with  the  merchants  and  mariners,  lament 

'''xiX  ■  God  is  praised  in  heaven  for  judging  Babylon  and  avenging  the 
bJdofhSVaiats'  The  marriage  of  tlie  Lamb.  The  fowls  called  to  the 
gr^slaughter.  ^^^  ^  ^^^^^^^^^^  first  resurreclion.    Satan 

leTlJose  again.  Gog  and  Magog.  The  devil  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire. 
The  last  and  general  resurrection. 


260  INDEX,  «w. 

XXI.  A  new  heaven  and  a  new  eartli.    The  heavenly  Jerusalem,  with 

a  full  desciiptioii  thereof.     She  needeth  no  run. 

XXII.  The  river  of  tlie  water  of  life.  The  tree  of  life.  The  light  of 
tlie  city  of  God  is  himself.  Nothing  may  be  added  to  this  prophesy,  nor 
diminished  ti'eiefrom. 


OLD  TESTAMENT. 

Number  of  Books        -.....--.39 

Chapters 929 

Verses  23,214 

Words  592,439 

• Letters  2,728,100 

Thi  middle  Book  is  Proverbs.  The  middle  Chapter  is  Job  xxix.  The 
middle  Verse  would  be  11.  Chronicles  xx.  17,  if  there  were  a  verse  more, 
and  verse  18,  if  there  were  a  verse  less. 

The  word  and  occurs  35,543  times.  The  word  jehovah  occurs  6,855 
times.  The  shortest  verse  is  i.  Chronicles  i.  25.  The  23d  verse  of  the 
7lh  chapter  of  Ezra  contains  all  the  letters  of  tlie  alphabet.  The  19lh  of 
11.  Kings,  and  37th  chapter  of  Isaiah,  ai'e  alike. 

NEW  TESTAMENT. 

Number  of  Books          ---.-....27 
Chapters  - 260 

Verses  7,959 

Words  181,258 

Letters  -         -        -         -         -         -         838,380 

The  middle  Book  is  11.  Thessalonians.     The  middle  Chapter  is  Romans 

XIII.  if  there  were  a  chapter  more,  and  xiv.  if  there  were  a  chapter  less. 
The  middle  Verse  is  Acts  xvii.  17.     The  shoriest  verse  is  Jolui  xi.  Sfi. 

OLD  AND  NEW  TESTAMENT. 

Number  of  Books        - 66 

■ ■ Chapters -  1,189 

Verses  31,173 

Words  773,697 

Letters  3,5t)6,480 

The  middle  chapter,  and  least  in  tlie  Bible,  is  Psalm  cxvii  The  middle 
verse  is  Psalm  csviii.  S, 

The  calculator  is  said  to  have  had  three  years  of  his  life  occupied  in 
fsrnsing  this  Table. 


CONCLUSION.  261 

TO  THE  READER. 

If  you  have  read  this  book  with  becoming  attention, 
you  cannot  but  perceive  it  to  be  one  of  the  most  extraor- 
dinary cases  of  persecution  and  abuse    which   has   ever 
been  loaded  upon  any  rnan  in  any  country.       A   clergy- 
man who  had  filled  somei  of  tlie  most   important   stations 
in  the    Ciuirch  in  the   United   States — whose  ministerial 
labours  had  been  wonderfully  blessed    and    successful--- 
against   whom   his  veiy  enemies  were  obliged  to  confess 
that  they  had  nothing,  and  that  his  character  and  author- 
ity were  good:  yet,  on  account    of  politics,  is   by  these 
very  men  forbidden  to  preach  without  hearing  or  trial — is 
by  them  persecuted  aiid  distressed  for  almost   20   years, 
though  he  still  prevailed  against  them  ;    till  at  length  by 
calling  in  the  aid  of  the  civil  law  to  sanction  the  usurped 
authority  of  tlie    Church — he  is  on  the   most    false   and 
base   accusations  which    ever  disgraced  the  calender  of 
any  court — tried  by  the  very    Judge  who   had  been   his 
principal  persecutor — is  by  him  deprived  of  the   consti- 
tutional right  of  confronting  the  principal  witness  against 
him, — important  papers  and  documents,   the   undeniable 
evidence  of  his   innocence,    were  on  trial,  withheld  and 
concealed,   and  the    court   directed  the  trial  to   proceed 
without  them, — he  is  partially  and  unfairly  tried — unjust- 
ly and  cruelly  taken   from  2000  people,  where  the  war- 
dens testified  before  the  court,  that  for  about  six  years 
then  last  past,  they  had  never  known  or  heard  of  a  voice 
or  a  vote  against  him,  in    his  parish,  except  one  man — 
he    is   unjustly  condemned  and  imprisoned  in  Norwich 
Jail,  in  Connecticut,  for  two  years.     On  the  27th  day  of 
May  1823,  the  witnesses  came  into  the  Senate  Chamber, 
in  the  city  of  Hartford,  were  sv/orn  and  examined  before 
a  joint  committee  of  both   houses  of  the   Hon.  General 
Assembly,  and  then  and  there  did  fully  and  freely  confess 
that  their  whole  testiuKmy  on  which  he  had  been  condem- 
ned   and   imprisoned,  was  utterly  flilse  ;    and  that  they 
had  been  overpersuaded  and  hired  to  commit  wilful  and 
corrupt   perjury.     This  testimony  and  confession  were 
supported  by  the  testimony  of  others,  and  the  innocence 
of  the  accused  could  not   but  be   appa'ont  to  every  un- 
prejudiced mind. 


262  CONCLUSION. 

Many  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants  c-f  Middle- 
bury^  in  Vermont,  have  seen,  examined,  and  compared 
the  original  documents  transcribed  and  referr'^d  to  in 
this  book,  and  by  their  certificate,  dated  Middlebury,  Jan- 
uary 19,  1830,  tliey  do  not  hesitate  in  declaring  the  said 
documents  to  be  correct  and  true,  and  to  have  emanated 
Irom  proper  authority  ;  and  that  the  prosecution  and  pro- 
ceedings were  of  a  character  the  most  extraordinary  that 
had  ever  come  to  their  knowledge. 

Signed  by 
EBEN  W.  JUDD,  J.  W.  COPELAND, 

DORASTUS  WOOSTER,    NATH'L  FOSTER, 
JONAT  FIAN  HAG  AR,  and  others. 

We  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  Concord,  in  New- 
Hampshire,  Certify  that  we  have  examined  and  compar- 
ftd  the  documents  and  statements  in  the  Memoirs   of  the 
Rev.  Ammi  Rogers  with  the  original  papers,  and  we  have 
no    hesitation   in   declaring    our    full  belief,  that  they  are 
attested  by  proper  authority,  and  are  cnitlled  to  entire  confi- 
dence ;    and  we  freely  unite  with  the  gentlemen  in   Ver- 
mont, in  saying  that  the  prosecution  and  proceedings  are 
of  a  character   the    most   extraordinary    that  has    ever 
come  to  our  knowledge.     It   appears   from   said   docu- 
ments that  he  is  a  minister  of  the   Episcopal   Church,  in 
good  standing,  and  that  his  character  and  conduct  among 
his  most  intimate  friends  and  acquaintance  are  good  and 
equal  to  that  of  ministers  of  tiie  Gospel  in  general. 
JONATHAN  EASTMAN, 
JONATHAN  EASTMAN,  Jr 
ROBERT  EASTMAN, 
OBADIAH  KIMBALL, 
DANIEL  CHASE, 
PHILBRICK  BRADLEY, 
ISAAC  EASTMAN, 
JOHN  P.  GASS, 
A.  P.  STINSON, 
ELBRIDGE  PERKINS, 
ISAAC  C.  BRADLEY, 
NATHANIEL  EASTMAN 
DATED  Concord,  JV  H.  January  4,  1832, 


conclusion.  263 

Secketary  of  States'  Office, 

Concord,  JV.  H.  January  Ith,  1832. 
This    Ceitifies,  tliat  I  am  poisonalJy  acquainted  with 
Jonathan    Eastuixn,  Esq.   Jinathan   Eastman,  jr.    Esq. 
and  the  other  gentlemen  wliose  names  are  subscribed  to 
the  foregoing  ins-tiument,  and  that  tliey  are  of  reputable 
standing,  and  entitled  to  entire  cnlidonce  and  belief. 
JOSEPH  ROBINSON, 
DepuUj  Secretary  of  llie  SUiie  of  JVeiv-Hampshire. 

To  subscribers  and  purchasers  of  this  Book  : 

Please  to  accept  my  gfateful  acknowledgments  of  the 
candour,  whicli  you  have  manifested  in  lending  an  ear  to 
hear  the  complaints  of  a  fellow-cilKz'cn,  who  is  also  a  fel- 
low christian.  All  mankind  are  naturally  and  mutually 
dependant  upon  God  and  upon  cacli  other.  It  has  fallen 
to  me,  to  appeal  to  you  and  to  tlie  world,  as  arbiters,  in 
a  case,  wherein  I,  my  chiMren  and  friends,  claim  to 
have  been  extremely  injured,  in  defending  our  just  rights 
and  those  of  society.  How  far  my  complaints  are  well 
founded,  you  must  and  will  judge  for  yourselves,  when 
you  have  read  this  book  ;  and  how  far  you  are  interes- 
ted in  the  case,  may  be  inferred  by  considering  what 
would  be  the  effect  upon  society,  if  all  were  to  turn  their 
eyes  end  to  stop  their  ears,  from  the  complaints  of  their 
fellow-creatures.  If  any  apclog^  be  necessary  for  what 
I  have  stated  in  regard  to  the  Cingregational  Presbyte- 
rians in  Connecticut,  and  in  javor  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  ;  let  it  be  remembered,  jthat  Mr.  Lanniau,  the 
State's  Attorney,  complained  of  me,  for  being  a  preach- 
er, pretendedltj  of  the  Christum  Religion!  as  tho'  the 
whole  Episcopal  Church  was  onlj  the  pretended  Chris- 
tain  Religion;  and  twelve  men  Mn/leroai7t,  in  New-London 
County,  in  Conn,  in  1820,  have  declared  that  it  was  true; 
and  they  said  it  with  as  much  propriety,  and  no  iiwre, 
than  they  said  the  other  charges  against  mc  were  true. 
I  can  truly  say,  that  the  great  wish  of  my  heart  has 
been  to  be  a  good  man,  true  a7id  trusty. — 1  he  great 
object  of  ray  preaching  is,  and  has  been,  to  represent 
the  God  of  heaven,  in  the  most  amiable  and  pleasing 
point  of  view  possible,  and  to  pcrsuude  myscli'  and   all 


264  CONCLUSION. 

others,  from  the  disposition  of  the  heart,  to  love  him  and 
to  imitate  him.  I  have  been  beloved  of  mj  Heavenly 
Father  and  favoured  vv'ith  ten  thousand  blessings  ;  for 
which,  like  Joseph  of  old,  1  have  been  hated  by  my  breth- 
ren., and  in  one  sense,  sold  into  Egypt  ;  but,  like  Baron 
Trenck,  I  have  come  out  of  Jail,  and  walk  proudly 
before  Kings  and  the  whole  world!  My  friends  are  glad 
to  see  me,  and  to  treat  me  with  respect ;  my  enemies  are 
ashamed  and  afraid,  and  hide  themselves  from  my  pres- 
ence. More  than  2000  people,  east  of  Hartford  in  Con- 
necticut, subscribed  to  have  my  Memoirs  printed,  and 
have  received  them.  About  1500  in  the  county  of 
Saratoga,  where  I  used  to  reside,  and  in  that  neighbor- 
hood, have  subscribed  to  have  them  re-printed,  and 
more  than  3000  have  been  printed  in  Vermont,  and  sold; 
and  have  been  read  with  very  universal  approbation  and 
admiration.  The  design  is  to  p-i-omote  the  cause  of  truth 
?ind  justice,  and  to  suppress  lying,  perjury,  wickedness 
and  vice.  I  know  that  ihis  book  is  true,  and  tlierc  is  hardly 
a  fact  of  importance  which  is  not  supported  by  tlie  testi- 
mony of  witnesses  who  are  now  living,  and  certified  by 
the  civil  authority  of  tiie  state.        AMMI  ROGERS. 

I  beseech  thee,  O  Merciful  God,  to  grant  that  this  book 
may  be  entertaining  and  useful  to  all  who  will  read  it, 
or  hear  it  read:  be  pleased  to  give  us  patience  and  re 
signation  in  all  our  aff  ictions,  to  direct  us  in  all  our 
doings  with  thy  most  gracious  favor  ;  guard  us  from  all 
error,  and  lead  us  intc  all  truth  and  righteousness,  and 
at  last  receive  us  into  that  blessed  and  happy  world 
where  all  tears  shall  be  v.iped  from  all  eyes,  and  where 
one  unclouded  day  of  bliss  and  glory  shall  surround  us 
forever  and  ever:  grant  it,  O  Heavenly  Father,  for 
Jesus  Christ's  sake. — Jlmen.  Our  Father  who  art  in 
Heaven,  8ic.    Amen. 


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